Schelte Couperus Obituary

Schelte "Ted" Couperus, 79, passed away on Aug. 3, 2025, in Beaver Dam, WI. Ted emigrated from Holland to the US in 1948 with his brother, Rein, and his parents. He grew up on farms in Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. As a graduate of DeVry University, he had a successful career literally "building" modern America. While working for Honeywell, he installed and oversaw environmental systems in iconic Chicago landmarks, including the Sears Tower (Willis Tower) and the John Hancock building. His career took him from Illinois to Minnesota and ultimately to Pittsburgh, where he ended on a career high note as a vice president at Linc Corporation. But he never lost his country boy roots. He was a John Deere man through and through. He made sure to mow his lawns on John Deere tractors, and those lines better be straight just ask his kids. He retired to Largo, FL, and summered in Wisconsin. Though a quiet man, he had a generous heart. He didn't just offer to help he showed up with tools in hand. Whether volunteering at food pantries, fixing gutters, or plowing snow, he gave his time freely and without fuss. He loved both the Steelers and Packers (a conflict he handled with quiet dignity). Ted was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Pam, and will be interred beside her in Seattle, WA. He is survived by his children, Ken, Cindy, Kristy, and Eric; his siblings Mike, Tena, and Ike; and a large, loving, extended family, including grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, his Dutch family, and countless friends who became family over the years. A private celebration of life will be held by the family. He built things. He fixed things. He helped people. May we all live a little more like Ted.