Jerry Dean Chopp died on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. He was born on July 21, 1935 in Shell Lake, Wisconsin. He was the son of Frank and Marie Chopp. Jerry had one brother, Calvin Chopp. The two brothers enjoyed going to Shell Lake, Wisconsin every year on their vacation. Jerry would tell everyone he met that he was “born and raised” in Shell Lake, Wisconsin.

Jerry graduated from Shell Lake High School where he was very active in many school organizations and team sports, along with playing the trumpet in the band. His school mates called him “The laughing Rembrandt” and his brother Calvin called him “Dow.”

Jerry attended the Art Institute in Chicago, Illinois. After graduation, he began working for Union Carbide, which later became Viscase. Jerry began his career at the drawing board, designing packaging for sausages and later became head of the art department from which he retired after a long and fulfilling career.

He enlisted in the army and was stationed at Fort Chaffee in Arkansas. One of Jerry‘s fondest memories in the army is when he processed Elvis Presley into Fort Chaffee. It was in the army where he developed a love for flying, and became a pilot under the direction of Frank Kelly.

Later in his life, Jerry purchased several planes and Jerry and his wife would fly down to Southern Arkansas to spend the weekend with his daughter and family. When he was no longer able to fly planes, he joined a flying club and began building and flying remote control airplanes. Some of his other lifelong hobbies included restoring antique automobiles, riding motorcycles, fishing, and traveling in his RV.

Jerry met his wife, Gerda Weigand (Chopp) in Shell Lake, Wisconsin. She was on a holiday from Germany and visiting with her uncles. When Jerry found out there was a German girl in town he got her phone number and called her for a date. They were happily married for almost 50 years and had one daughter, Annette, and a son, Brent.

After Gerda’s passing he married Peggy Canard (Chopp). They shared their home in Harrison for 14 years and attended Red Oak Baptist Church.

Jerry was preceded in death by his first wife, Gerda Weigand (Chopp); his parents; his brother, Calvin Chopp and his great-grandson Brooks Robert Wallace.

Survivors include his wife, Peggy Chopp; one daughter, Annette and her husband, Dan Hugen; one son, Brent Chopp; one niece, Brenda (Bobby) Conti; five grandchildren, Heather (Jeremiah) Wallace, Autumn (Matt) Brumett, Brandon and Tyler Chopp and Noah (Maddie) Hugen; two great-grandchildren, Canyon and Stratton Wallace; Peggy’s children Kerri Couch (Canard), Ronnie Canard and Brian Canard along with several grandchildren and great grandchildren on her side.

Funeral services will be held at Skinner Funeral Home, 511 1st Street, Shell Lake, Wisconsin 54871 at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 3rd, 2025.

Last Update: Oct 21, 2025 8:29 am CDT