Obituary
Julie Ann (Copper) Liska
Julie Ann (Copper) Liska, 68, of La Crosse, WI, died peacefully July 8th, 2020 surrounded by family and the supportive staff of the Gundersen Health System Critical Care Unit. Julie was born December 7th, 1951 to her parents Donna (Dohlin) and Ross Copper Jr. in La Crosse, WI. Julie graduated from Tomah Senior High School and went onto college at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. She married James Liska, of West Allis, WI in 1974, they later divorced. Julie was a talented artist and enjoyed reading and singing in the cathedral choir.
Julie is survived by her three children: Scott (Nikki) Liska, Jamie (Michael) Larson, and Lori (Jared) Heintz, her four grandchildren: Zoe and Kooper Heintz and Hailey and Jacob Liska. She is further survived by her brothers and sisters: Glen (Karen) Copper, Penney Wieman, Jenny (Lon) Greeno, Cody Copper, Abby (Jeff) Duebler, and Ross (Krissi) Copper III, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Julie was preceded in death by her parents: Donna (Dohlin) and Ross Copper Jr., her grandparents: Adelia (Ghelfi) Dohlin Fredrickson, Louis Dohlin, Arthur Fredrickson, Norma (Snyder) Copper, and Ross Copper Sr., as well as her sister Teresa (Copper) Fulton, brothers-in-law Steve Wieman and David Brzeczek, and longtime friend Rick Grosskopf.
Unfortunately, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a formal funeral will not be held. Mourning those we love is never easy, even when we have the opportunity to do so together. Feelings will ebb and flow, not only today but in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead. Remember Julie in the simple, small moments of your days and find comfort in knowing she is finally at peace.
Remember Me
To the living, I am gone.
To the sorrowful, I will never return.
To the angry, I was cheated.
But to the happy, I am at peace.
And to the faithful, I am still with you.
As you stand upon a shore, gazing at the beautiful sea – remember me.
As you look in awe at a mighty forest and it’s grand majestly – remember me.
As you look upon a flower and admire it’s simplicity – remember me.
Remember me in your heart, your thoughts, your memories of times we loved.
The times we cried, the times we fought, the times we laughed.
For if you remember small moments, you will always carry me with you.
-Annonymous
To the family of Julie Liska our sympathy is with you all.
She was always, first of all a mother. Even in her childhood she was worried about the children in China and Africa for which the nuns at St. Thomas More and St. John’s were collecting clothes and pennies; Julie became their agent for them in our neighborhood and family.
With the softest of hearts, Julie would hold wakes and funerals for the unfortunate little creatures (birds and butterflies for example) whom she’d found expired in our yard.
As Julie matured very early, she had so many babysitting in the jobs in the neighborhood, I was occasionally drafted to fill in for her (Not my forte).
As Mom and Dad produced five more little girls Julie became “Mommie in training” until she more or less took over the position when our Mom had to go to work full time.
When she lived with us (Karen and me) while attending UW-La Crosse, and the mayflies blanketed our sidewalks and streets, she would refuse to ride her bike or walk to class. Each little crunch broke her heart to think they would be suffering at her expense. And there was no time for all those funerals. :D.
I laughed at her sentimentality then, not knowing it was an essential part of who she was. She was, like Saint Christopher, someone who carried the burdens of the world, knowing Jesus lived in each one. She truly exemplified his promise:
“‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
I am so sorry for your lose. Altho, it has been many years since I have seen Julie I really liked her. She was so sweet and talented.
God be with you all.
Cynthia Jo Haines ( Jody Zelley)
I was saddened to hear that Julie is no longer with us. She had many talents, making the world a poorer place now that she is not able to share those talents with us. I pray for the family as you grieve her loss.
So sorry for your loss Jenny
I’m sending love & hugs to you – Scott, Jamie & Lori – also to your children & partners. I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ll always love & miss Aunt Julie. May she be at peace with my Mom & our Grandma Donna while they’re dancing in the sky together, somewhere over the rainbow!! Rest in Paradise, Aunt Julie ❤️
Dear Abby, We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your sister. It is never easy on those left behind. Keep her memory alive and take it one day at a time. With our deepest sympathy. Hugs,
Robert, Jenny and Roland Hockstedler
Julie and l are cousins, born the same year. I will always remember Julie as a kind and gentle soul.
When I think of her l see her ready smile and twinkling eyes. I hear her soft voice and endearing laugh.
I am glad to know she has journeyed from life’s struggles to the angels where she belongs.
She is close in my thoughts and always in my heart. I am thankful for those times over the years we had to reminisce, talk and wonder.
May you find peace in being apart of her life and comfort from her strength.
Pat Petersen
I was friends with Julie in High school. She was more quiet in our classes, but very caring and determined person. I lost track of her after high school, I went to college. I returned to LaCrosse when my dad had open heart surgery. she had her warm smile and we had a few chances to share parts our lives with each other. however I misplaced her information after I came home from helping my dad rehabilitate. My condolences to each of her family during this sad time. I wish I would have had more time to meet your family. I lost both my parents within 9 days of each other 1.5 years ago and I still have a void in my heart. God be with all of you.