Sally Marie Chouchene

Sally Marie Chouchene passed away on November 11, 2025, at the age of 76, in her home in Hudson, Wisconsin.

Sally was born in Escanaba, Michigan, to her mother, Doreen (Goertzen) Couchene, and her father, Richard Couchene. She was the eldest of three daughters and earned the nickname “The Queen” from her family.

After graduating from high school in Escanaba, she moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There, she graduated from Bryant and Stratton Business College and became the manager of the Holiday Inn located in the downtown business district. During her time in Milwaukee, she met her future husband, Dennis Atkinson. The marriage produced two children, Eric and Bryan Atkinson. Unfortunately, the marriage did not last and ended in divorce.

One of Sally’s proudest moments came when she went back to school and enrolled at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls while raising her two children. She achieved her lifelong dream of graduating from a university in 1991 with a degree in psychology. After completing her studies, Sally worked for several companies and non-profits before concluding her career as a matron at the Washington County Jail in Minnesota.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Doreen Couchene. She is survived by her sons, Eric (Jennifer) Atkinson and Bryan (Cathy) Atkinson; her sisters, Judy Plutchak and Tracy (Gary) Branz; and her two grandchildren, Sophia and Zachary Atkinson.

There will be a private gathering in the Spring for the family to memorialize Sally.