Jennie C. Koopsen

KOOPSEN, Jennie C.
Portage, MI Jennie C. Koopsen, age 81, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 11, 2013 at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence in Kalamazoo. Jennie was born July 27, 1931, the only child of Frank and Myrtle Bonham Rasmussen and grew up in Decatur, MI. She moved to Kalamazoo to attend Bronson Methodist Hospital School of Nursing. Jennie enjoyed working at "the hospital" and always spoke fondly of working for Dr. Bennett. That was where she met Nelson Koopsen, whom she married on May 11, 1957. Since that time, she had been a member of Trinity Reformed Church of Kalamazoo. Jennie's joy was her family and after she married that was her full time job. She was active with her children in 4-H and spent many days, through the years, at the Kalamazoo County Fair. She enjoyed having a vegetable garden, reading and teaching as many of her grandchildren as would learn how to knit. Jennie was preceded in death by her husband, Nelson, two granddaughters, Elizabeth Webb and Amber Koopsen and her parents. Jennie is survived by: her five children, Carol Paul Hamilton of Cary, NC, Adrian Sue Koopsen, William Beth Koopsen, Patricia Rex Webb and Sarah James Dirksen all of Portage, MI; 19 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Nelson's family became her family, so also surviving are: sisters-in-law, Elaine Liggett of Kalamazoo, Norma Warren Erickson of FL, Trudy Erv Herzog of AR; brother-in-law, Donald Brinks of Portage; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Friday from 4-8pm at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave. Services will be held 11:00 Saturday morning at Trinity Reformed Church, 326 W. Cork St., with Rev. Dr. John H. DeKam, officiating. Private interment services will be held in Portage South Cemetery. Memorials should be directed to Trinity Reformed Church or Rose Arbor Hospice Residence.