JoAnn Marie Copeland
On Friday May 6, 2022, JoAnn Marie Copeland, loving wife and mother of five children and sixteen grand children went to be with her heavenly father, she was 61 years old.
JoAnn was born on February 14, 1961, in Fruita, Co. to Joseph and Yvonne Velarde. She lived in Rexburg, Id. until 1972 when the family moved to Helena. She attended Warren elementary school and Helena high school. She received her high school diploma from the PAL program on June 2nd, 1986. JoAnn married her husband Michael Alvin Copeland on June 17, 1995. They raised three sons, Travis, Alvin, and Andrew and two daughters, Cindy and Lacie.
JoAnn’s greatest passion in life was serving her savior, Jesus Christ. Her next greatest passion was her children and grandchildren. She spent much of her life providing day care services and working with children in elementary schools and church. Her childcare programs always included introducing and teaching the children about Jesus. The parents were all onboard with her curriculum and it even brought some of them to a relationship with the Lord. Jesus gave Miss Jo many gifts but the talent of prayer warrior stood out. Those who were blessed to know her would call whenever someone was sick, hurt or in trouble to have her pray for them and to start a prayer chain. She would often pray for strangers in Costco or Walmart when led to do so by the Holy Spirit.
JoAnn was an achieved artist who loved to draw. Her favorite sketches were those of her children and grandchildren. One of her favorite pastimes was gardening, her flowers were some of the most beautiful around. She enjoyed fishing with her husband Mike and liked to sew, creating gifts for her loved ones and her rice bags became a ministry. She loved the rain, the way it smelled and the sounds it made as it came down. At first it was taking walks in the rain and later it was going for drives in the rain. She loved the way rain brought a renewed freshness and would cleanse everything, as if it were bringing new hope and new life to the world.
JoAnn lived in Eugene, Oregon for a short time where she became very fond of the Oregon coast. She enjoyed trips out to the coast whenever time permitted. She also enjoyed day trips to Holland Lake and along the Missouri or around Canyon Ferry lake looking for blue jays and other wildlife.
JoAnn was instrumental in starting the random acts of kindness day in East Helena. She always thought it was important to do something to brighten someone’s day no matter how small the gift or deed.
JoAnn was at peace in life, knowing that eternal life in the presence of God was waiting for her, but she fought hard to stay with her family until she knew that WE would be okay. She will be dearly missed by those who knew her and were blessed because of the way she touched their lives.
JoAnn was preceded in death by her father Joseph Velarde. She is survived by Her Husband Mike Copeland, her mother Yvonne Velarde, Her children Travis (Brenda) Terry, Alvin Copeland, Cindy (Rob) Wodrich, Lacie (Chris) Kauzlarich, and Andrew (Carlen) Copeland. Her grandchildren, Caleb, Reese, Natalie, Casey, Logan, Wyatt, Amelia, Ezekiel, Addycin, Ryker, Madoc, Zoe, Mya, Payton, Winston, and Theodoreable. Her siblings Lola (Dan) Hagerty, Sheila Velarde, Stephan (Claudia) Velarde, Lilly (Brent) Bucy, Patsy (Keith) Goble, and Brandy (Charlie) Armstrong. Previous husband William Terry and many nieces and nephews.
If you would like to donate to a charity in memory of JoAnn, please donate to St. Peters Health Hospice at 2475 Broadway Helena, Mt 59601.
JoAnn was a firm believer in random acts of kindness, so in her memory, try to do one act of kindness each day.
A Viewing will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Thursday, May 12, 2022 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N Montana Ave. A Funeral Service is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Friday, May 13, 2022 at Helena First, 2210 Dodge Ave., followed by a burial at the East Helena Cemetery in East Helena. A Reception will follow the burial at the old East Helena Fire Hall.
Service Schedule
Visitation
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday May 12, 2022
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday May 13, 2022
Helena First
2210 Dodge Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial
Following the service
Friday May 13, 2022
East Helena Cemetery
410 N Montana Ave.
East Helena, Montana 59635
Reception
Following the burial
Friday May 13, 2022
East Helena Fire Hall
East Helena, Montana 59635
Service Schedule
Visitation
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday May 12, 2022
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday May 13, 2022
Helena First
2210 Dodge Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial
Following the service
Friday May 13, 2022
East Helena Cemetery
410 N Montana Ave.
East Helena, Montana 59635
Reception
Following the burial
Friday May 13, 2022
East Helena Fire Hall
East Helena, Montana 59635
Share
Bobbie Scott says
Mike, Lacie and family. So sorry to hear about Jo’s passing. My heart breaks for you all, such a beautiful person. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Sending hugs!
Susan G Hensley says
Miss Joe was a dear sweet, kind and gentle Child of God. She will most certainly be missed in our little neighborhood.
God bless you all.
Kelli Kaufman says
Mike, I am so sorry to hear about JoAnn. Please know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Judy Webster says
Dear Mike, Travis, & families, I’m heart broken over reading about Jo’s passing. Know you are all in my prayers. Till we meet again in the New Jerusalem. ✝️🕊💐🌹🙏🏻
Scott St. Clair says
Mike and Family, so sorry to hear about Joe’s passing. She was a wonderful person and will be missed by many. I find it best to try to dwell on the good memories in these difficult times. You folks are in my thoughts. Scott St. Clair
Verna Kroll says
Mike and Family,
I am so sad to hear of Jo’s passing. I had no idea you all were going through this. Jo was such a prayer warrior, and I so loved praying with her. God knows when to orchestrate people into our lives during the season we need them most, and He definitely placed her in mine at the right time! Knowing she is with Jesus now and healed is a blessing however she will be missed here, until we meet again dear friend. God Bless Verna Kroll
Fred Thompson says
Mike and family,
So sorry to hear about Jo’s passing. Fern and I miss all the great people from East Helena that we know over the years.
Jo will be missed by so many people, but she is still here in our hearts, Prays to you and your family.
God Bless you all:
Fred & Fern Thompson
Susan Blumer says
My prayers and love to all of you. We are all sorry for everyone’s loss. I wish I might have gotten to know her. Be comforted by those who love you . We add our love. Know her spirit will surround you and my you feel her gracious spirit around you always.
Dolores Treichler says
So very sorry for your loss. It’s never easy. Know that we care and are here for you.
Duane Lund says
Mike and family, our prayers go out too you all in the passing of Jo; wife, mom, grandmother and friend to so many. Jo’s warm smile and always friendly words will surely be missed. Have peace knowing she is now in the perfect peace of Jesus.
The Lunds
Mike glueckert says
So very sorry mike and family of your grevious loss. Prayers always with yu folks
Elaine Myles says
To the Family of JoAnn,
I came to know JoAnn at Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church. Prayer warriors is right! What a beautiful spirit inside and out. The Spirit of Jesus Christ her Savior! Just finished pondering on these Bible verses right before I saw that JoAnn had gone home to be with our Lord. This is how Joann lived her life.
Eph 5:1-2 “Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”
With Sincere Sympathy and Prayers.
Marcy Lay says
To the Family of JoAnn:
I am very sorry to hear about JoAnn’s passing. She had been in my thoughts many times over the years. She always made an effort to acknowledge me with my family deaths and would ask for hugs when we would run into each other. I had known her since 6th grade and my prayers are with your family.
Niel Helfert says
Mike and family. Ginny and I would like to offer our condolences. JoAnn was such a wonderful vibrant person. Will be thinking of you in the coming days. May she rest in peace.
Dusty and Kathy Wildish says
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Shari Lewis says
Mike and Family,
Our hearts hurt for you all so much. I am so honored to have been able to get to know Jo and be a small part of your lives for a short while. I remember in Sunday School, I had mentioned I had a headache, and right away she was praying for my headache to go away. She was most definitely a prayer warrior and a beautiful lady inside and out. Love you all!
Margie Haikka says
Mike and Family
We are so sorry to hear about Jo. She loved our children when they were in her daycare and for that I will always be grateful.
Love Margie and Tommi Haikka
Jimmy, Katie, Terry and Hattie.
Alan Glass says
Uncle Mike and family- so sorry for your loss. We are thinking and praying for you during this difficult time. 😢💕
Tina Whitaker says
So sorry to hear of JoAnn’s passing, BUT I know she sought after her Lord Jesus and we have nothing to worry about her now. JoAnn and I were friends from school Warren and Helena Junior High. We lost contact through the years however, she looked me up and we were able to catch up on recent years. I’m sad we did not get together in person. See you in heaven friend – Tina (LaSalle) Whitaker
Claudia Thomas says
Dear Michael & Family, please accept my deep and sincere condolences on the passing of Jo. Her faith has placed her in a place of beauty, free of pain, in the arms of our Lord. May His Love & Grace comfort you during these times of earthly sorrows.
Mike Glass says
Dear Mike and Family, so sorry to hear on the passing of JoAnn, prayers with you and your family, she will be dearly missed. May her spirit be with you always and comfort you.
Elaine Tuffli says
So very sorry to you Mike and your family. She now is the Angel up above watching over you. Rip