Although I decided to look at Uncle Ray Karnopp’s obituary for the first time ever, I found this online tonight. I have no reason to bawl, but I did, and he’s been gone since March 2025. He died several days before his 91st birthday. RIP Uncle Ray! Now my dad and his youngest brother are the two Karnopp‘s boys of Grandma Karnopp Batchelor and Grandpa Bernard Karnopp left alive now.

Raymond L. Karnopp

April 10, 1934 — March 20, 2025

Dodgeville

Raymond L. “Ray” Karnopp, age 90, of Dodgeville, formerly of Lancaster, passed away on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Sienna Crest in Dodgeville surrounded by his loving family. He was born on April 10, 1934, in Boscobel, the son of Bernard and Clara (Smith) Karnopp. Ray graduated from Gays Mills High School in 1952. Following graduation, he became a licensed cheesemaker and was employed at Walther Dairy. Ray later worked at Ray’s Standard Station in Platteville. He was then employed at Pioneer Ford where he was the service manager, retiring in 1995. On February 23, 1957, Ray was united in marriage to Dixie Shanley at the Lancaster Presbyterian Church. Together they raised two children and farmed. Ray enjoyed fishing, camping, deer hunting, and playing cards, especially Euchre, UNO, and 500. He also liked watching sports, including the Milwaukee Brewers, Wisconsin Badgers, and the Green Bay Packers. After retirement, Ray enjoyed antiquing and having coffee with his friends. He dearly loved spending time with his family and will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his loving wife, Dixie; their children: Ricky (Tary) Karnopp and Julie (Ron) Weigel; three grandchildren: SGM. Jason Karnopp, Aubrey (Carl Leiser) Smith, and Justin (Jen) Rand; four great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; his brothers: Robert (Sandy) Karnopp and Larry “Butch” (Dolores) Karnopp; sisters-in-law: Jackie Karnopp and Nola Sitts; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his siblings: Edward Karnopp and Dorothy (Lyndon) Steinbach; brother-in-law, Jim Sitts; nieces: Kristalyn Sitts, Kari Karnopp, Karen Burgus, and Lynn Steinbach.

Funeral services along with Fireman’s and Elk’s services will be held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Lancaster with Pastor Mark Hoehne officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster. Family and friends may call on Wednesday, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home.

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