Janice Marie (Brenner) Kopen

Janice Marie Kopen was born in Mt. Pleasant, MI on April 1, 1946. Her parents were Delmar and Florence Brenner, who worked as teachers in the Kalamazoo public school system. Jan's father rescued Jan from a fire when she was about 3 months old. Jan attended Loy Norrix High School in Kalamazoo, where she played Oboe, and excelled at synchronized swimming. She spent summers at the family cottage in Delton where she enjoyed water skiing and swimming. After graduating in 1964, she attended Kalamazoo College where she majored in French and Spanish. As part of her career service program, she taught English in Guatemala. She did her foreign study in Caen, France and graduated from "K" in 1968. Following graduation, she married Robert Kopen. The following fall the couple moved to Flint, Michigan where they both had obtained teaching positions. Jan spent evenings attending library science classes at the University of Michigan - Flint. In 1970, she became a full time mother. In 1980, the family relocated to Three Rivers, Michigan. She and Robert then opened a law practice in Centreville, MI where Jan was instrumental in operating and maintaining the law practice for the next 39 years. Jan was a compassionate and devoted mother, wife, and daughter who loved to travel, read, and attend theater and symphony. She will also be remembered for her exceptional linguistic abilities and organizational skills. After being diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, Jan became active in the local chapter of the MGFA and attended numerous national conferences and was very active in local and online support groups. She will be missed by her family and many others. She is survived by her husband, Robert, mother, Florence Brenner, brother, Dr. Thomas Edward Brenner (Julie Dewitte Brenner), daughters Laura Christine Kopen and Jenny Marie Kopen, brothers-in-law Douglas, Raymond and Edward Kopen; sisters-in-law Marlene Kopen Mahoney, Dory Kopen Bergman and Melanie Hart Narbutis and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 6 PM to 8 PM on Wednesday, October 9, 2019, at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 622 S. Burdick St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. A Graveside service will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, October 10th at Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park Chapel on South Westnedge. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of Michigan, 2660 Horizon, Ste. 235, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546. Please visit Janice's webpage for directions, online guest book or to leave a condolence.

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