Bruce C. Cuppan

Bruce C. Cuppan, went to his heavenly home on December 21, 2024, at the age of 83 years 6 months and 18 days. His Savior Jesus’ arms were waiting to welcome him home. He was born on June 3, 1941, in Milwaukee, WI, the son of Charles and Ruth (Noennig) Cuppan. He graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran High School in Milwaukee, and from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where he received his Mechanical Engineering degrees. On June 20, 1965, Bruce married Else Flegel at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waukesha, WI. In 1967 he joined the Giddings & Lewis Machine Tool Co. and retired from there in June 1999. Bruce was a faithful member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Fond du Lac since 1967. Throughout the years he served on both the school board and church council, as well as treasurer of the congregation for many years. After his son David was born with Down Syndrome in 1970, he became a member of the Arc where he served in many capacities. He was president of the Board of Directors when the Arc purchased its first group home and built its second one. He served on the Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod (WELS) Commission on Special Ministries for twenty years, and chaired the Special Education Services Committee which promoted and initiated the religious training of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and supported the publishing of religious educational materials. In his leisure time Bruce enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, bowling, and playing cribbage with family and friends. He took his family on many trips throughout the United States, and later he and Else visited other places in Europe where she had lived prior to immigrating to the United States. Bruce’s family is especially grateful to his special friends, Steve Klabunde, for his countless visits to Bruce since last March, and to Jerry Fricken, for his calls since he was hospitalized. Special thanks also to Hospice Home of Hope for their kind, gentle care. Bruce is survived by his loving wife Else; sons Steve of Markesan, David of Fond du Lac, and daughter Sarah Paasch of North Fond du Lac; grandchildren Zach Jerdee (Halley Rymer), Danae Jerdee (Berto Camberos), Breanna Jerdee, MaKenna Jerdee, and Dillon (Madison) Jerdee; and his great-grandchildren Mazziana, Malahni, Melly, Amaya, Stella, and Willow. He is also survived by his sister’s daughter Ellen (Joel) Suckow and their family; brothers and sisters in-law Helmut and Annie Flegel, Erna Seifert, Vic Flegel, and Don and Wally Kissinger and their families; and other special relatives and friends. Bruce is preceded in death by his parents; his sister Kathleen, her husband Paul Eickmann, and their children Betsy and Daniel; parents in-law Nathanael and Emilie Flegel; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Lilli and Frank Hradelowitz and their son Gerald; son-in-law Timothy Jerdee and other relatives and friends. A Christian funeral service will be held at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 1600 South Main Street, Fond du Lac, WI, on Monday, December 30, 2024, at 11:00 AM, with Rev. Peter Lindemann and Rev. Luke Boehringer officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 AM. The body has been cremated and will be interned at Ledgeview Memorial Park. Memorials may be directed to St. Peters Lutheran Church, Winnebago Lutheran Academy, or the Arc of Fond du Lac.

Bruce C. Cuppan

June 3, 1941 - December 21, 2024