On Wednesday December 14, 2022, Barbara Kopp of Allenton, MI, loving Mother and Oma, passed away at the age of 93 surrounded by the love of her family.
Barbara was born on March 20, 1929 in Kerni, Yugoslavia to Jakob and Barbara Schmidt. She married Johann Kopp on November 23, 1946 and immigrated to the United States through New York Harbor on February 14, 1956 in an extraordinary journey which eventually had them settle in Allenton, MI.
She was preceded in death by her father, Jakob Schmidt; mother, Barbara Schmidt; brother, Jakob Schmidt; brother, Andreas Schmidt; sister, Anna Franz; brother, Adam Schmidt; sister, Johanna Schmidt; and husband Johann Kopp.
Barbara is survived by her brother, Johann (Eva) Schmidt of Maisach, Germany; sister, Resi Bernhard of Eching, Germany; sister Elisabeth Benz of Maisach, Germany; and sister, Eva Wallantine of Niedendorf, Germany. She also is survived by son, Alfred (Denise) Kopp of Maple City, MI; daughter, Barbara Radzitowski of Allenton, MI; son John (Natalie) Kopp of Metamora, MI; son, Joseph (Tina) Kopp of Allenton, MI; and son, Andrew (Teri) Kopp of Imlay City, MI; and an army of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Barbara’s greatest passion in life was her family. She instilled her German values and traditions in all of them and made sure they knew how to love one another and work hard. She loved to dance the waltz and polka and made sure that every member of the family could carry a beat. Raised as the daughter of a farmer, Oma’s gardens were legendary for both her beautiful roses and the tons of vegetables and fruit she would harvest every year. She raised a flock of swans in the pond behind the house. Christmas time was her favorite time of year, baking hundreds of cookies and pastries using European recipes. Oma’s favorite question was, “Are you hungry?” Barbara truly did it her way and will be missed by everyone.
There are currently no funeral arrangements scheduled; the family is choosing to mourn together in privacy.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memorial to St. Jude Children’s Hospital (St. Jude’s Donations) or the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP Donations).
Arrangements were entrusted to Muir Brothers Funeral Home in Almont.
