Georgianna Joy Jackson-Lopeman (Jan) was born on Nov. 1, 1934 in Deer River, Minnesota.
When she was 1 year old her family traveled to Kelso, Washington where her father went to work as a bridge tender on Cowlitz River. The family then moved to Shine, Wash. in 1950 so her father could open a restaurant at South Point ferry dock. She attended high school at Chimacum, Wash. She met and married Claude William Garten on June 2, 1951 at the old school house in Shine. Claude passed due to a logging accident on Oct. 23, 1954.
They had two children; George Leslie Garten and Claude William Garten (Billy).
Jan married Alva Leo Lopeman (Leo) on Dec. 31, 1955 and was married for 52 years. Due to his construction work they moved around a lot to Aberdeen, Wash.; Westport, Wash.; Whittier, Alaska; Shine; Matts Matts, Wash.; Port Townsend, Wash.; and finally Kelso, Wash. where she had grown up. They had two children; Lora Lea Lopeman-Malone and Leo Lynn Lopeman (Muggs).
Jan was a homemaker, mother, and wife. She was a long-time member of the Eagles and Oddfellow Rebecca Lodge; and an avid sports fan, especially of the Mariners and Seahawks, and held season tickets to Husky football games.
Jan passed on June 11, 2023.
She is survived by four children, 15 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. She was loved by all.
A celebration of life will be held at the Kelso Eagles from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 8, 2023.
