Obituary of Randall Ralph Schopen

RANDALL "RANDY" R. SCHOPEN, age 61, of Johnson Creek passed away unexpectedly on Sunday December 4, 2011. He was born on October 16, 1950 in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, son of Ernest and Norma (Rumary) Schopen. Randy was the owner of Capn's Steak House in Fort Atkinson, Capn's Catering in Whitewater and Johnson Creek, Aranda Pickled Mushrooms, and owner of the former Capn's Corner in Jefferson. Randy was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church. He had attended St. Lawrence Catholic grade school and graduated from Jefferson High school in 1969. He was an active and vital part of many communities in Jefferson County. Well known for his willingness to serve countless organizations when it came to fundraising and Randy has touched countless lives. Randy served as the past-president of the Jefferson County Tavern League, was a founding member and on the Board of Directors of Tomorrow's Hope, and held fish fries for the Fort Atkinson Relay for Life and Johnson Creek Fest. He was a big supporter of the Jefferson Blue Devils, Jefferson County Snowmobile Alliance, Sno-Hawks Snowmobile Club, Watertown Elks Club, Fort Atkinson and Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, Wisconsin Vietnam War Memorial, Knights of Columbus, Tomorrow's Hope, UW Athletics, high school athletics, the local food pantries, Pheasants Forever, the state and county fair, state and county 4-H programs, Jefferson 3-mile ATV club, numerous athletic team sponsorships, among many others. Randy was named The Jefferson Chamber of Commerce Ray O. Fischer Outstanding Citizen Award in 2001 and the Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce Small Businessperson of the Year in 2011. Randy will be deeply missed by his mother Norma of Jefferson Sister; Shari Weber of Janesville, Brother Greg Schopen of Mineral Point Niece; Angela (Jeff) Kober of Cambridge, Nephews; Christopher (Suzanne) Weber of Menomonee Falls, Josh Weber of Verona, Andrew (Angela) Weber of Johnson Creek, Damon Schopen of Hartford, Dashal Schopen of Mineral Point and great nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He is preceded in death by his father Ernest and brother in law, John Weber. Memorial Mass will be held at 6:00 pm on Thursday December 8, 2011 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jefferson with the Rev. Thomas Coyle officiating. A gathering time will be held at the church from 2:00 p.m. until the time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to express sympathies through a memorial in Randy's name may direct them to the newly-created Randy Schopen Memorial Foundation. On line condolences may be made at www.schneidermichaelisfuneralhome.com. "How could one person make such an impact on others in 61 short years. Randy stories will live forev