Catherine “Cathy” L. Coppens, age 64, a resident of Manitowoc, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday morning, December 16, 2025 at the Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Cathy was born on April 26, 1961 in Carrell, Iowa. She was the daughter of the late Jeremiah and Mary Ann Sporer Coppens. Cathy was a 1979 graduated of Lincoln High School and continued her education at Lakeshore Technical College where she went on to receive a degree in Early Childhood Care. For over 40 years Cathy worked with children of Manitowoc and Sheboygan. Most recently with the Before and After care for the Roncalli School District for 27 years until her retirement in 2000. She had also been employed at the Manitowoc Chapter of the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army of Manitowoc County. Cathy was a Girl Scout leader for nine years and a member of the New Holstein Sewing Club. She enjoyed watching movies, reading, working on stained glass projects, beading, crocheting, and trying new recipes with the family. These small pleasures brought her great joy but her true passion was interacting with others. She was a very upbeat social person who enjoyed spending hours just talking and telling stories.
She is survived by her two brothers, Joseph (Karen) Coppens and David Coppens both of Manitowoc; two very special nieces, Nicole (Nigel) Ordiway, Manitowoc and Stephanie Coppens, Wautoma; two great nieces, Sakkara and Aria Ordiway, and one great nephew, Ronin Ordiway. She was preceded in death by her parents Jeremiah Coppens and Mary Ann Coppens, one brother, Michael Coppens, maternal grandparents, Louis and Frances Sporer and paternal grandparents Carl and Verna Coppens.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Monday, December 22, 2025 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Waldo, North 14th and Waldo Blvd., Manitowoc. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Arogya Prashanth Gade. Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Manitowoc. Relatives and friends may call at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Waldo on Monday, from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m.
Cathy’s family would like to send a special thank you to the staff of the Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center as well as the staff of both Aurora Medical Center, Two Rivers, and Aurora Bay Care Center in Green Bay for the exceptional care give to Cathy over the years. A very special thank you to the staff of Homecare Health Services, Manitowoc, who did both home care and hospice care for Cathy. We also what to recognize Dennis Harrigan and the staff of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home for helping us celebrate the special life of our sister Cathy in such a caring and professional manner. Online condolences to the family may be sent by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair Streets, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
