Janice T. Colpaert

Janice Lorraine (Tidmarsh) Colpaert, 92, of Ft. Myers, FL, formerly of South Bend, IN, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, while in hospice care at the Shell Point Retirement Community where she had been a resident for 7 years. Born in Milwaukee, WI, on September 5, 1924, she was the daughter of Frank Malcolm Tidmarsh and Ethelwyn (Magee) Tidmarsh. She graduated as valedictorian of her Lincoln High School Class in Manitowoc, WI, in 1942 and went on to earn a Bachelors of Science degree from Northwestern University in 1946. She worked as a high school teacher of English and Spanish in Michigan and Indiana before marrying Arthur Haag. They started a family in 1950 and eventually moved to South Bend, IN, where she became involved in the the Service Guild and served as it’s president. After the death of her beloved son, James Haag, in 1968, she and Art moved to Ocala, FL, where she became a successful real estate broker. When Art Haag died in 1997, she subsequently married Joseph Colpaert of Marco Island, FL, in 1999. They happily traveled the world and eventually moved from Marco Island to the Shell Point Retirement Community in Ft. Myers, where Joe died in 2015.
Jan was a strong, independent woman, before her time, who took care of her young son, parents, and first husband, when they were sick and dying. She was generous of heart and spirit, and touched the lives of those who knew her. She made it a point to stay connected to her family and friends over the years, even as her health declined. She was an avid bridge player, a golfer, and loved to dance, listen to music and travel.
Left to cherish her memory are: her sister, Jeanne Morse of Medinah, OH; her daughter Carrie Haag (Cat Scheibner) of Santa Fe, NM; her step son Charlie Colpaert (Mark Gilbert) of Portland, OR; her step daughter Anne Colpaert of Marco Island, FL; three step grandchildren, Doug, Mary and Sabrina of Marco Island, FL; numerous nieces and nephews, their spouses and children.
Cremation is being cared for by McGann Hay Funeral Home of South Bend, IN. There will be a memorial service held at Shell Point Retirement Community at a later date. Her cremains will be buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Plymouth, IN, next to her first husband Arthur Haag and son James Haag. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
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