Frances Koppang

Frances Koppang, 74, Bismarck, ND, died Tuesday, February 3, 2009, surrounded by her family at St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday at Faith Lutheran Church, Bismarck, with Rev. Chris Alexander officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm Friday at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm. Frances Lorraine Davidson Koppang was born July 23, 1934, at Portland, ND, to Edwin and Bernice Lunde Davidson. She graduated from Portland High School and attended Mayville State University for one summer before teaching in rural schools. She later returned to college and attended Bismarck State College and completed her Bachelor’s degree in business at the University of Mary in 1978. Fran taught in rural schools near Hatton and Portland and then became a stay at home mother for several years. During those years she was active as a volunteer with Girl Scouts, 4-H, and her children’s school activities. She went back to work at Patterson Land Company and in the Registrar’s Office at the University of Mary. She also worked for the Bank of North Dakota for several years. She returned to college to complete her degree and then worked for the State Development Credit Corporation and the First Presbyterian Church. She retired from the First Presbyterian Church in 1999. Fran was a long-time active member of Faith Lutheran Church in Bismarck and her church Bible Study Circle. She was a volunteer for the Senior Health Insurance Counseling Program SHIC and the AARP Tax Aide Program to assist low income and seniors. She was a volunteer with MedCenter One Auxilary and Foundation for several years. Fran had a strong commitment to helping others who needed assistance. Family was very important to Fran and her favorite thing to do was to spend time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a source of pride and joy to her. She enjoyed travel, entertaining, quilting with her friends, her pinochle group, her lunch groups and just spending time with family and friends. She is survived by four children: Angie Koppang, Vermillion, SD; Chris Doreen Koppang, Bismarck, Lorraine Ken Weber, Alexandria, MN, and Kathy Mark Baerlocher, Bismarck; 12 grandchildren, Wendy Arik Spencer, Melissa Koppang, Jessica Gilge, CJ Koppang, Cory Koppang, Courtney Koppang, Alyssa, Amanda and Norah Baerlocher, Lucas Weber, Brandon and Joey Pam Fischer; six great-grandchildren; and one brother, E. Norman Betty Davidson, Needles, CA. She is also survived by two brothers-in-law; six sisters-in-law; and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and Alton Koppang.

Frances Koppang

July 23, 1934 - February 3, 2009