Friedrich Karl Kopp, (Fritz), age 89, of Monroe, passed away on Thursday, November 27, 2025 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Madison. He was born May 13th, 1936, on Rat Hollow Road east of Argyle.  He was the youngest of seven children of Swiss immigrants, Jacob and Elise (Ingold) Kopp and attended the Zentner Country School and Monticello High School.

Fritz served two years in the US Army as a radio telegrapher stationed in West Germany during the mid-fifties.  Upon returning to civilian life in 1957, he was employed at the Chalet Cheese Co-op factory. He married the love of his life, Barbara Ruef, on February 11, 1961 at St. Victor Catholic Church. Later, he became the manager and cheesemaker at the Deppeler Cheese Factory in Clarno Township.  Cheese production at the factory included Limburger, Brick and Cheddar.  After some experimentation, Fritz introduced Baby Swiss cheese to Green County and bore the Deppeler Baby Swiss label.  His Baby Swiss was named National Champion cheese in 1985.  Fritz was employed as a cheesemaker for 40 years and thereafter was employed by the Brodhead school district until retiring in 2007.

He was an active member of St. Victor’s Catholic Church, volunteering as an usher and for many church funeral luncheons.  Fritz was a member of the Executive Board of the National Historic Cheesemaking Museum in Monroe as well as being a docent at the Museum.

Fritz was preceded in death by his parents and five siblings, Louis, Rudy, Verena Graber, Hedy Wuethrich, Ruth Ruf; and a granddaughter, Monica Shininger.

Surviving are his wife Barbara and their five children, John (Loretha) Kopp, Amy (Jeff) Plier, Dr. Maria (Tony) Poirier, Anne (Tim) Shininger, David (Lhynne) Kopp, eleven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and a sister, Martha Scherer.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Victor Catholic Church of Christ The King Parish on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 with Fr. Garrett Kau as celebrant.  Visitation will be at the Church beginning at 10:00 a.m. prior to the Mass scheduled for 11:00 a.m. The Rosary will be recited by the Catholic Daughters of the Americas at 9:45 a.m. Burial  will be in Calvary Cemetery immediately after Mass with a luncheon to follow in the Church basement. The Newcomer Funeral Home is serving the family.   The family requests that no flowers or plants be donated. Memorials are suggested in Fritz’s name to St. Victor Catholic School. Condolences may be shared at www.newcomerfuneralhome.net