Donald Gene Hoepker, DeForest farmer and community leader

Donald Gene Hoepker of the DeForest area died September 17, 2026, at age 92. He was born in June 1934 to Clarence and Helen Hoepker.

Farming and public service

Hoepker served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958 and married Juanita Dohm on September 5, 1959. He worked as a dairy farmer, later raising hogs and feeder pigs and growing sweet corn and peas for Del Monte. He also spent 17 years delivering mail on a rural Sun Prairie route for the U.S. Postal Service.

He served as a Town of Burke supervisor and chairman, ran for Dane County treasurer in 1984 and served on a local farm cooperative board. He belonged to the Order of Catholic Foresters and followed the Badgers, Brewers and Packers.

Family

Hoepker is survived by Juanita; their children Kevin (Kay), Jennifer (Dennis) Kurtz and Todd (Kim); grandchildren Kelly, Eric, Jason, Alexis, Katie, Taylor and Sydney, along with their families; his sister Carol (Charlie) Dawsey; sister-in-law Rita (Dohm) Pulgin; and extended family. His grandchildren's families include great-grandchildren Rylee, Harper, James, Brielle, Parker, Avery and Logan. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Dorothy Opem and Gary Hoepker.

Funeral arrangements

A celebration and Catholic Mass were scheduled for September 25 at Sacred Hearts Church. Visitation was set for 9 to 11 a.m., followed by Mass at 11 a.m. and burial at Sacred Hearts Cemetery. The family suggested memorials to the Sacred Hearts School endowment fund or Agrace Foundation and thanked Bay Harbor and Agrace for their care.