Betty J. Koplitz (Peggy Theiler) 98, died March 20, 2026 peacefully at home surrounded by family, friends and flowers. She was born March 20, 1928, the first day of spring, on the family farm in Humbird, Wisconsin to William and Emma (Trachsel) Theiler.

Peggy, as she was known to family and friends from a very young age, was unofficially renamed when an aunt proclaimed that she looked like Peggy, not Betty. She attended the Humbird school system, graduating at the top of her class (1945) University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Bachelor in Science in English and U.S. History (1949) UW-Madison Master of Arts English Education (1958). She worked summers on the family farm, canning factory, babysitting for the minister’s children, and even in Montana with her best friend on a dude ranch. Peggy taught high school English, Library Science, Geography and Mathematics in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin and in Greeley, Colorado.

She married Eugene D. Koplitz (Gene) in 1953 at St. John’s Evangelical and Reformed Church in Humbird, Wisconsin and began married life in Fort Sill, Oklahoma where Gene was stationed. Dr. and Mrs. Eugene D. Koplitz moved to Greeley, Colorado in 1958 when Gene accepted a position at Colorado State College, now University of Northern Colorado, where their three children were born and she resided for over 60 years.

During her time in Greeley, Peggy was active in the First Congregational Church and served as moderator, choir member, Ruth Group, Book Club, early years youth group leader, WTK, AAUW, Social Science Circle, joined a hiking club to climb the Colorado mountain trails, and GRASP. She was the founding first President of the University of Northern Colorado Library Foundation, involved with the inaugural James Michener Library opening celebrations and subsequent renowned speakers and guest lecturers.

Both Peggy and husband Gene of 64 years relished reading and traveling the world to Europe, Puerto Rico, China, Taiwan, India, South America. Peggy relocated to Pennsylvania at 92 after her husband’s death to live in a three-generation household with her daughter’s family and grandchildren. Peggy became a member of First Lutheran Church, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, attending nearly every week and participating in church activities, special events and concerts. She participated in King’s Gap Book Club, Pathways Institute for Lifelong Learning, Cumberland Valley Historical Society events. She enjoyed Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra concerts, plays and lectures, Carlisle downtown art fests and events, and meeting friends for lunch, traveling with her daughter’s and son-in-law’s extended family seeing Hamilton in New York City, the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, family get togethers for Thanksgiving and 4th of July in Connecticut and touching her toes in the sand at various east coast beaches, spectacular fireworks at Misquamicut Beach in Rhode Island. At 93 Peggy delighted in visiting her grandfather’s hometown in Switzerland with her family. All four of Peggy’s grandparents immigrated from Switzerland to Wisconsin. Every year, even the last year of her life, she traveled back to the family farm in Wisconsin to spend time with her brother’s family and extended family and friends. Peggy took special joy in the newest branches of the family tree, marveling at the number of generations gathering each year at the farm, established in 1897, shortly after the birth of her father in 1896.

Peggy was a special light and people meeting her for the first time would always comment on how dear she was. In her last years, although her eyesight dimmed, she enjoyed listening to National Library Service audio books and continued writing her poetry and cards to others by hand and her memoirs through dictation. One of her memoirs entitled “Never Too Late” emphasized values her parents taught her of caring for others. The span of her experiences from draft horses powering the family farm equipment to being able to fly on a plane to faraway places and most recently being able to communicate via video on phones to loved ones was a marvel to her. She frequently said how grateful she was for her depth and breadth of lived experiences and for all the care she received at home and in the community to help her continue to live a long and fulfilling life. Peggy especially enjoyed having gatherings at home around the dining room table or on the deck, one of her favorite sunny locations. Family, friends and flowers delighted her.

She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Kalman (Susan) Theiler, her daughter Dr. Stephanie (Michael) Doherty; grandchildren Michael, Nathaniel, MaryGrace, EmmaRose, Carrie Hale, son David (Michelle) Koplitz; nieces: Sheila Koplitz, MaryJo (Danny) Rozmenoski, Kathy(Michael) Pieper, Thelma Theiler, Lori(Barry) Fedie, Nancy Theiler, Amy(Rick) Ramirez, Jennifer (Jeril) Gunning; nephews: Dennis Theiler, Tom(Bonnie) Theiler, Scott (Robin) Theiler, David (Michaela) Theiler, and many extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Pamela, husband Eugene, brothers William Jr. (Sonny) and Frederick, sister Dixie Gansel, and grandson Nolan.

Service 11:00 a.m., April 8, 2026, First Lutheran Church, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

The family extends special thanks and heartfelt appreciation to those who helped make Peggy’s last days the best that they could possibly be, including Pastor Leber, First Lutheran Church, Carlisle, UPMC staff, doctors, nurses, Home Health Residential PT, OT and nurses, Christian Companions, Carlisle, PA.  www.EwingBrothers.com.