Elizabeth Jane Koopman

Jane Koopman passed away with loving family by her side on December 30, 2009, in Appleton, Wisconsin. Jane was born Elizabeth Jane Hayes on June 1, 1929, in Rochester, Indiana. Her parents, Raymond and Ruth (Carruthers) Hayes, were both teachers.

Jane showed an early love of and aptitude for music and played several instruments including the piano, trumpet, pipe organ, viola and recorder. Jane played trumpet in her high school and college bands, and viola in various groups including the Lawrence University orchestra and the Fox Valley Symphony. Jane's life overflowed with music. She was prone to break out into song at any moment, and continued this lovely trait to her very last days.

Jane earned a Bachelor of Music in Education (BME) and a Masters of Music in Education (MME) at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and continued her lifelong education with special music courses at Silver Lake College and other schools. She earned a Kodaly Certificate and was an ardent practitioner of that music education method.

Jane met her husband of 57 years, John Koopman, through their mutual love of music. She became the accompanist for his vocal performances throughout their lives together. They were married on March 22, 1952, in Des Moines, Iowa. Their life together began in Iowa but journeyed to Wisconsin in 1959 when John joined the faculty at the Conservatory of Music at Lawrence University. Jane is survived by John, daughter Ann and her husband Eric Pumroy, and their daughters Rachel and Ruth Pumroy, son Bill and his wife Lisa (Peschcke-Koedt), and son Jim and his wife Kathy (Johnson), and their sons Dan and Zach Koopman. Jane is predeceased by her brother Bill Hayes and her parents.

Jane was a gifted and beloved teacher of music for over 50 years. Jane taught for over 20 years in the Appleton public schools as an elementary music specialist and master teacher. She helped her students create radio plays and compose and perform 19 original operettas, for which she was awarded the honorary title of “World's Best Music Teacher.” After retiring from elementary school teaching, Jane joined the Lawrence faculty as a Lecturer where she taught sight-singing for over 10 years. Throughout her teaching career, she served as her husband's accompanist in numerous recitals and other performances, and was a church organist for decades.

In addition to music, Jane made many friends through her other interests – as an avid quilter, as part of a long-standing gourmet cooking group, as a cunning bridge player in local bridge clubs, and as an avid Packers and Celtics fan with a lifelong and scholarly love of basketball.

A memorial celebration of Jane's life will be held on Sunday, May 2, 2010, at 3:00 PM in the Warch Campus Center of Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin.

NOTE: Since there is limited parking near the Warch Center, friends are welcome to park at Emanuel United Methodist Church (corner of Meade Street and College Avenue) and a shuttle bus will begin operating at 2:15 PM on Sunday.

If you wish to make a gift in Jane's memory, Jane asked that these be made to The Conservatory of Music, Lawrence University, Appleton, or The Music Department, Silver Lake College, Manitowoc.

Jane, we will miss you dearly. Go in joy and song.

Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton 739-1231
Online condolences
www.wichmannfargo.com