Joan Frances Roper, a beloved mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, passed away on February 23, 2023, at the age of 83 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Ann Berberich, and her devoted husband of 60 years, James Roper, who passed away in October of 2020. Joan is survived by her children, Michelle Kitze and Daniel Roper, his spouse Kelly Roper, her sister Linda Hines, and her sister-in-law Sandy Kerr and their families. Joan was a doting grandmother to Camryn and Darcy Roper, Matthew and Stephen Kitze, and her step-grandchildren Jake and Drake Morse.
Joan lived most of her life in East Lansing and Holt, Michigan, where she had close ties to Michigan State University. She moved to Grand Rapids in 2020.
Joan attended George Washington University, where she met her husband James, before earning her master’s degree in educational psychiatry at Michigan State University. Her career started in teaching elementary school and special education before transitioning to clerical and technical work at Michigan State University. She finished her career working for the State of Michigan, retiring in 1997.
MSU was a big part of Joan’s life. She loved sports, and her favorite team to cheer for was MSU. She swam at the Intramural West building on campus nearly every day after retirement, where she became known as "Grandma Joan" to the students and staff. She was a beloved presence there and got to know many of the student athletes that she would cheer for.
Joan had an appreciation for life. She was the type of person that would notice the beauty in all that was around her, never forgetting to stop and smell the roses. She was an honest, straight talker, with a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh. She had a servant’s heart filled with gratitude.
Joan's warm and loving presence will be deeply missed by her family and friends. A celebration of life will be held for the family and close friends on March 11th at the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Grand Rapids East at 3251 Deposit Drive NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 at 3:15 PM. Memorial donations may be made to the Michigan State University Foundation in her memory.