John “Jack” T. Hoepner

John Theodore Hoepner, age 86, of Theresa, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2026, in Harford, Wisconsin, surrounded by his loving family.

A Memorial Service for John will take place on Friday, March 6, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Mayville with Rev. Dr. Mark G. Cutler officiating. A visitation for John will be held at church on Friday, March 6, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at 1:00 p.m. Following the service, military honors will be conducted by the Mayville American Legion Post #69. Inurnment will be at Union Cemetery in Theresa.

John—known to his friends and family as Jack—was born on January 20, 1940, in Horicon, Wisconsin, to Norbert and Florence (Ehlers) Hoepner. He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, self-reliance, and more than a few well-traveled backroads across southeastern Wisconsin.

Jack proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps from 1959 to 1963. Once a Marine, always a Marine—and that steady determination became a hallmark of the way he lived his life. If something was broken, Jack would fix it. Or at the very least, he’d make it “good enough,” which in Jack’s world usually meant it would hold strong for decades.

On January 29, 1966, he married the love of his life, Beverly Marie Greuel. Together they built a life grounded in faith, family, and hard work, sharing 60 wonderful years of marriage. Faith was an important part of Jack’s life, and he could be found every Sunday sitting beside Bev in their customary spot in the back row at St. John’s Church. In his later years, some of his favorite moments were the simplest ones—sitting with Bev on their porch, listening to the rain and sharing conversation, or going to the Tag together.

Jack was a devoted father to Mark (Sara) Hoepner of Shawnee, Kansas; Tracy (Rick) Shreve of Mocksville, North Carolina; Troy (Wendy) Hoepner of Lomira, Wisconsin; and Chad (Candice) Hoepner of Theresa, Wisconsin.

His pride multiplied with his grandchildren: Blue (Katie) Shreve, Cinnamon (Seth) Howard, Hawk (Mary) Shreve, Creek Shreve, Boone Shreve, and Daisy Shreve; Austin Hoepner and Hailey (Trace) Strahle; Ben Hoepner and Abby Hoepner; and Jade Aughinbaugh. He was also blessed with great-grandchildren Eastyn and Jackson Strahle, and Levi, Della, and Lorelai Shreve. Nothing brought Jack more joy than time spent with his family—whether at lively gatherings or in the quiet moments watching the youngest generation carry on the Hoepner spirit.

For nearly 30 years, Jack worked as a cable repair technician for Wisconsin Bell Telephone, later known as Ameritech. He took pride in his work and in the simple satisfaction of keeping people connected—often quite literally. True to form, there wasn’t much he couldn’t troubleshoot, repair, or improve with patience and a few well-chosen tools. Over the years he also finished many construction projects of all types, both at home and for his children and grandchildren, and there was always some new project just waiting to get started. He was a great teacher and gave his helpers plenty of opportunities to learn how to dig, cut, measure, hammer, and paint.

Jack loved the outdoors—working on the farm, cutting wood, wandering through the woods, and camping with friends. Annual family camping trips were a highlight of the year and an opportunity to teach outdoor skills and set up elaborate treasure hunts. A long Sunday drive was never just a drive; it was an exploration. He seemed to know every backroad and small town in southeastern Wisconsin (and to have a childhood home, farm, schoolhouse, or relative there) and was always ready to take the scenic route.

An avid reader, Jack somehow managed to read five books at once and keep every plot straight. He was also a faithful and lifelong fan of the Green Bay Packers, standing by them through the challenging seasons of the 1970s and 80s and celebrating wholeheartedly during the triumphant years of Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. He rarely missed a game and considered that loyalty a matter of principle.

He also looked forward to his monthly poker games with his card group—afternoons filled with friendly competition, good stories, and plenty of laughter. Those gatherings were another reminder that while Jack was self-reliant, he deeply valued friendship and camaraderie.

Jack will be remembered as steady, capable, loyal, and loving—a man who showed his care through actions more than words. His family will think of him every time something needs fixing, a backroad beckons, a book is left open mid-chapter, the rain taps softly on a porch roof, or the Packers kick off on a Sunday afternoon.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents Norbert and Florence Hoepner, his brother Ken Hoepner, and his sisters Bernice Hoepner, Lucy Hoepner, and Marilyn Keller. He is survived by his sister Marlene Pamperin, his brother Jim Hoepner, and his wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Semper Fi, Jack. You were one of a kind, and you will be dearly missed.