Jerry “Jer” Hoopfer

Jerry Hoopfer, age 77, passed away on August 18, 2026, at Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital,
surrounded by his loving family.

Jerry “Jer” was born in Houghton, Michigan, to Ivan and Opal Hoopfer, and lived for many years on the family farm near Traverse City, Michigan. He graduated from Elk Rapids High School in
1967, where he was active in 4-H and on the football team, and spent a semester as an exchange student in Finland. He later entered the US Navy, where he proudly served from
1970-1974. Jer did a tour of duty in Vietnam, during which he earned a Bronze Star for bravery.

Jer met his wife, Judy, in Milwaukee, where they were married December 26, 1970. After completing his naval service, they moved back to Wisconsin and eventually settled in Beloit, where they raised their daughters. Jerry then joined UPS in Janesville, WI, as a package delivery driver, where he worked for more than 30 years driving mainly rural routes, which he loved.

Upon retirement, Jerry and Judy eventually settled in Waukesha, WI, to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Jer suffered from Bipolar Disorder for over 30 years, coupled with PTSD after his service in Vietnam. During this time, he was also diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. He had the unwavering support of his wife and daughters throughout it all, but the journey was extremely challenging for both him and his family. Eventually, Jerry required an increased level of care and moved to Shorehaven, where he spent the last 18 months of his life. He thrived there and made many new friends, including Pastor Nick Slater, who we are eternally grateful to for helping Jer process his life’s challenges.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 55 years, Judy; his daughters Jean (Jeffrey) and Teri Sikri (Vishal); granddaughters Olivia, Amelia, and Caroline; and Jer’s siblings, Tom, Susie, and Jack.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan and Opal. Jer taught his daughters many valuable life lessons, was able to strike up a conversation with just about anyone, and will be
deeply missed by many.

Our sincerest gratitude to the staff at Shorehaven, whose care and compassion were second to none, and the kind nurses in the Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital ICU. Your care will not be
forgotten.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Shorehaven, 1305 West Wisconsin Avenue, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin 53066, in the Chapel from 1:30 PM- 3:30 PM. Park in the Main Lot and enter the Main Entrance. Follow signs to the Chapel. Service at 3:3o PM. Family dinner to follow at the Lake Terrace Apartments Clubhouse (part of the Shorehaven
senior living complex), 1380 West Wisconsin Ave., Oconomowoc, Wisconsin- Park near Entrance Door # 7- Main Clubhouse.

Burial with Military Honors on Monday, September 28, 2026, at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 21731 Spring Street, Union Grove, Wisconsin, at 1 :00 PM. Meet at the Administration Building in your vehicle. The car procession will leave the Administration Building at 12:55 PM, arriving minutes later at the Committal Shelter for the ceremony at 1:00 PM. Burial to follow in the Urn Garden.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Wisconsin Parkinson Association http://wiparkinson.org, the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southeast Wisconsin
http://namisoutheastwi.org, or the Gary Sinise Foundation http://garysinisefoundation.org.

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