Randal S. Berz

Randal “Randy” Scott Berz, 69, of Sparta, WI passed away on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, surrounded by family and friends, at Mayo Clinic Health Systems, in La Crosse, WI. After years of struggling with the health consequences of Acromegaly, he is now at peace. He was born May 14, 1954, in Tarentum, PA, to Roland “Skeeter” and Violet (Moser) Berz. He was the second of six children. He grew up in St. Louis, MO, graduating from St. John Vianney High School in 1972, and proceeding with an academic scholarship to West Point.

He transferred to UW-Milwaukee when his family moved to Wisconsin, graduating with a degree in Criminal Justice in 1976. He dedicated his career to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, retiring as a Security Director in 2011.

Randy met his wife Amy Kopp, while working at Ethan Allen School for Boys in Wales, WI. Randy and Amy were married on October 8, 1987 in Fond du Lac, WI.

Randy was a devoted father who dedicated all his free time to family trips, traveling, watching his grandchildren, and regular family campfires. Randy enjoyed canoeing, the outdoors, hunting, card games, family game nights, and all things Wisconsin sports. Go Pack Go! His love of the outdoors started at his grandparent’s cabin in the mountains of Pennsylvania. He was a family man through-and-through, and lived for the time he got to spend with his loved ones.

We are grateful for all the wonderful memories; he will be deeply missed. Randy’s favorite quote from the musical Wicked, was “Defy Gravity”; and now he is flying high.

Randy is survived by his wife, Amy (Kopp) Berz; their four children, Shane (Blanca) Berz, Caitlyn (Alex) Frazee, Haley (Jake) Sweeney, and Kelsey (Clay Langan). “Pappy” had seven grandchildren, Kenya, Logan, and Landon Berz, Otto and Rose Frazee, and Ivy and Rue Sweeney. He is further survived by his mother, Violet Berz (age 95); five siblings, Rol Bez, Cindy (Mark) Silette, Lisa (John) Williams, Mark (Sara) Berz, and Kurt (Erin) Berz; many nieces and nephews will also miss their Uncle Randy.

Randy was preceded in death by his father, Roland Berz, his wife’s parents, Milton and Mary Kopp; and his beloved nephew, Andrew Berz.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at The Greens in Sparta, WI.

Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com.

Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home & Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Randal S. Berz, please visit our floral store.