Russell Wayne “Rusty” Kopfhamer

Fort Winnebago Township -- Russell Wayne “Rusty” Kopfhamer, age 67, passed away on Wednesday, November 23, 2016, at his home in Fort Winnebago Township, with his wife by his side.

Rusty was born on April 27, 1949, in Medford, Wisconsin, the son of Wenzel and Joyce (James) Kopfhamer. He married Marion Manthey on May 4, 1990. Rusty was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and had also been a member of the Jaycees. Rusty had worked for Dairy Queen, Sinclair-Doerr’s, Baraboo Concrete, Holz Chevrolet, Mazo Egg, Mike’s Auto, Wisconsin Bridge and Iron, Badger Ordinance, Balliett and Cupery, Meigs Asphalt, Stokely’s, Zinke Drey Line, Ray-O-Vac, Portage Fire Department, Merwin Jenkins Bus Company, and as a chief mechanic for the City of Portage Public Works Department. Rusty enjoyed gardening, fishing, cooking and hunting.

He is survived by his wife, Marion Manthey Kopfhamer of Portage; mother-in-law, Vi Manthey of Portage; three children, Christopher (Becky) Kopfhamer of Portage, Melissa (Wade Kaiser) Kopfhamer of Ontario, Wisconsin, Justin (Megan) Kopfhamer of Portage; three brothers, James (Toshi) Kay of Winchester, Tennessee, Roy Kopfhamer of Portage, Robert (Margaret) Kopfhamer of Portage; seven grandchildren, Ethan Kopfhamer, Sydney Kopfhamer, Trey Kaiser, Celia Kopfhamer, Kymber Kaiser, Jason and Catherine Kopfhamer, other nieces, nephews and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Karen Neaves and her husband Phil Neaves; sister-in-law, Betty Kopfhamer; and father-in-law, Herb Manthey.  

Funeral services will be held at on Sunday, November 27, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. St. John’s Lutheran Church, 850 Armstrong Street, Portage, with Pastor Greg Hovland officiating. Inurnment will be private. Visitation will be at the church from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and School.

The family would like to thank the staff at Home Health United Hospice in Baraboo for their care and support.

Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home is assisting the family.