Carolyn Russell Koppes

Carolyn resided the past four years in Leawood, Kansas at Town Village Independent Living. During the previous thirty years she lived in Kansas City, Missouri with her loving and devoted husband of 68 years, Robert (Bob) John Koppes, who passed away in 2019.

She and Bob spent most of their early years raising their five children in Prairie Village, Kansas but relocated several times for job opportunities in Davenport, Iowa, Kalamazoo, Michigan and Sheboygan, Wisconsin before returning to Kansas City.

Carolyn grew up as an only child in Blanchard, Iowa. Having come from a small family, she took incredible pride in the large family she and Bob created. She was very involved until her death with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and would claim these relationships as her biggest joy.

Carolyn was accomplished in other endeavors. She earned her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Avila College while still raising her family. During her career, she taught classes at Avila and was employed many years in the banking industry in Kansas City as Director of Human Resources and at Kalamazoo College in Michigan in a similar position.

She was a devoted sports fan, an avid reader, and a prolific knitter of baby blankets and hats. Carolyn was blessed with an incredible memory and forever discovering new and interesting topics to discuss with her friends and family.

She is survived by her five loving children; daughter Martha Sinovic (Bill) of Leawood, Kansas and their children Emily, Adam (Libby) and Seth (Lauren); son Seth Koppes of Hawaii and his children Jessica Cohan (Chasen), Remy Koppes(Tomi) and Gabrielle Maansson (Eric); daughter Ellen Brewer (Kent) of St. Louis, Missouri and their children Russell Brewer (Rachelle), Katie Brewer, Joel Brewer (Kim); daughter Ruth Redlingshafer (Ryan) and their children J. Ryan (Liz), Jacob (Lexi) and Joseph (Shelby); daughter Sarah Hurwitz (Rick) and their children Caleb and Phoebe along with her 22 great grandchildren (2 more on the way).