Ursula Kauppinen

Sun Prairie - Ursula L, Kauppinen (nee Neumann), age 88, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 21, 2017, at Agrace HospiceCare. She had valiantly fought Stage IV cancer since 2011. She was born in Politz, Pomerania, Germany on December 8, 1928. She was the daughter of Arthur and Lina (Marx) Neumann. On November 2, 1952, she married the love of her life Richard L Kauppinen in Beloit, Wisconsin. Richard, of Rockford, Illinois was an ordained Presbyterian minister. Both were life-long Christians of strong faith. Richard preceded her in death on December 7, 1995. She was blessed to find love again in late life. On September 18, 1999, she married Burton E Zipperer who has also passed.

Ursula was a teenager when she left Germany with her father, mother and younger brother Gunther in March of 1945. They traveled to northern Denmark where they lived until 1948 when they embarked from Sweden and journeyed by sea to New York City. They eventually settled in Beloit. This is where she met Richard with whom she had two children, Malia in 1955 and James (Jim) in 1958.

In the early years of her marriage she was involved with Richard in his ministry. She acted as church secretary and sang in the choir. In 1965 her love of art re-surfaced and she began exhibiting her paintings at art shows throughout the Midwest. She was an accomplished watercolor painter who excelled in interpreting floral arrangements and landscapes. Her favorite art show was in Madison where she exhibited "On the Square" and "Off the Square" for 48 years. After her cancer diagnosis, she continued painting and showing her work from home.

Ursula is survived by her daughter, Malia Mohan of Madison and her son, James (Kristine) Kauppinen of Sun Prairie; three grandchildren, Erin Kauppinen and Shannon and Sean Mohan; a brother, Gunther (Judy) Neumann; sister and brother-in-law, Ronald (Beverley) Kauppinen, La Rae Lundquist, Roger Kauppinen, Robert (Connie) Kauppinen, and Carol (Kirk) Fisher; numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her step-children, Jeffrey Zipperer, Andrew (Sue) Zipperer, Susan (Taunya Jerrigan) Zipperer, and John (Kin Tso) Zipperer. She is preceded in death by her parents and both of her husbands.

Funeral services will be held at SUN PRAIRIE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 702 North Street, Sun Prairie, on Sunday, February 26, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Jenny Arneson officiating. Burial will follow at Sacred Hearts Cemetery in Sun Prairie. A visitation will be held at the church on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until time of the service. A luncheon will the follow the burial back at the church.

In lieu of floral arrangements the family gratefully requests donations be made in her name to: University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792 (608) 265-1700.






Cress Funeral & Cremation Services
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