Sophia Gano

Sophia Gano, age 92, of Schoolcraft, passed away May 10, 2024. She was born October 12, 1931, in Salyersville, Kentucky to the late Willie Jack and Hazel Marie (Back) Risner.

Sophia graduated in 1949 from Salyersville High School. She worked for several years for General Motors in Sandusky, where she met the love of her life, James Gano, with whom she cherished 65 years of marriage. She also had a short stint in real estate. Sophia loved to garden and joined her husband as a hobby farmer, helping raise livestock and crops. She was an avid golfer, a KWGA and Olde Mill Golf Club Champion, and served many years as a golf instructor. She and Jim enjoyed golfing together, spending time hunting and fishing, and were bowling Champions. Sophia enjoyed kayaking and loved to dance, always ready to have a good time. She also loved to play Dominos, Euchre, and Rook. She was a great cook, well known by all for the best pies, especially everyone's favorite, her strawberry rhubarb pie.

Sophia was gentle-hearted and one of the kindest women you could find. She could brighten a room with her smile and never met a stranger. She dearly loved her children and grandchildren. 

Sophia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James Claude Gano; her parents; and her brothers: Orville and Ernest Risner.

She is survived by her children, Connie (Marty) Caporossi, Kathy Lower, and Dr. Robert (Meredith) Gano; grandchildren, Michael Wolthuis, Cris (John) Nichols, Mario (Jesse) Caporossi, Carly Caporossi, Philip (Krista) Lower, Jr., Dr. Nicholas (Ashley) Lower, Sarah, Sammy, and Jack Gano; great-grandchildren, Jake (Melissa), Sam, Molly, Ayden, Mylee, Mason, Gianna, Emmett, Owen, and Kallie; great-great-grandchild, Henry; and sister-in-law, Geraldine Risner.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, May 14, 2024, from 5-8:00pm at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial and Cremation Services, 3926 S 9^th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, May 15 at 1:00pm at Hope Cemetery in Texas Township.

Memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army or the Wounded Warrior Project.

To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family visit https://www.langelands.com.