Jannice Modert

Independent, confident, and committed, Jannice Modert lived for her family. An unwavering source of love and support, Jan willingly shared her insights and gifts in hopes of reducing the load others struggled to carry. Never one to sugarcoat her opinion and a person who liked things done her way, those who knew her best appreciated being able to rely on her candor and strength. A devoted mother, grandmother, and friend, Jan will long be remembered and so very missed.

1953 marked the end of the Korean War, and the nation began to lean into a much-welcomed time of peace. The year proved to hold exciting firsts; the polio vaccine was developed, the first color television sets, transistor radios, and Corvettes were on sale. While the first James Bond novel made its debut, films like Peter Pan and From Here to Eternity filled the theaters. The middle-class standard of living continued to grow and appeared to have no boundaries; it was definitely a time of much hope. Nowhere was there a greater cause to celebrate the possibilities of hope than in the hearts and home of Donald and June (Slack) Laverack as they welcomed their daughter, Jan, into their family on August 26 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The oldest of three kids, Jan was fondly called "Nanny Goat" by her younger siblings. Always there for her family when they needed her, Jan supported her father and siblings through the tough times brought on by her mother's frail health. She loved music and played trombone in the Sturgis High School band. In 1971, the band traveled to Virginia Beach for a festival and they proudly won the competition.

Following high school, Jan earned her associate's degree in business management at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. She worked at JC Penny Home Store in Southland Mall. While she loved the people she worked with there, Jan mostly loved the employee discount! She later worked in customer service for R1 RCM, assisting with medical billing and record keeping for healthcare providers.

In 1973, Jan married Michael Modert. Though their marriage later ended in divorce, the priceless gift of their daughter, Brandy, was long cherished. Jan was a good mother. She dedicated herself to doing whatever needed to be done to ensure her daughter the best in life. She was Brandy's Girl Scout leader for many years and never missed an important event. Selling cookies, camping trips, or hosting meetings are just a few of the many ways Jan showed her steadfast commitment to the troop and her daughter.

Without a doubt, Jan's granddaughters were her hearts' delight. Whether playing putt putt golf, making Jiffy Pop while watching a movie, or sharing her love for plants and baking, Jan relished sharing time with Leigh and Kelcey. Weekends often led to taking them to local sites like Kalamazoo Valley Museum, the Air Zoo, or Frederick Meijer Gardens. Of course, these trips weren’t complete without a stop at McDonalds for ice cream.

Special occasions were accented by Jan’s cake decorating skills. She even had a little side business selling cakes for a time. She was also known for her grilled cheese sandwiches, with the cheese melted just perfectly. She thoroughly enjoyed sharing her joy of baking with granddaughter Kelcey; her banana and strawberry breads were also unrivaled and made for the perfect afternoon treat! Jan liked working in the yard planting lilies, and her house plants were extraordinary. Imagine her happiness when Leigh acquired her grandmother's green thumb and decided to major in botany at Michigan State University.

Jan never hesitated to lend a hand. If there was a party happening, she made sure to arrive early to help and stayed until the very end. The holidays were simply over the top and always a big deal! This usually included making special homemade candy and chocolate treats together as a family…a tradition that still continues in her family. Naturally, Jan always made too much and gave most of it away. All her loved ones received Easter baskets filled with special gifts, even the adults, and her Christmas presents were exceptional, and often became the top of conversation. She enjoyed giving ornaments with childhood pictures of Brandy inside which inspired many stories, laughter, and joy. She even bought presents for her granddog, Maggie. New Year’s Eve was typically spent at the movie theater with her granddaughters. Jan also loved Broadway theater and anything Sci-Fi. She even attended an X-Files convention.

While life may feel less certain in the absence of Jan's steadfast company, may we find comfort in our many treasured memories and in the honor of carrying her legacy forward. In each moment we confidently face a challenge, be of service to others, shower our loved ones with generosity, or gather together for a holiday, we celebrate the many ways Jan gifted our lives.

Jannice Modert, of Kalamazoo, age 69, died on November 3, 2022. Jan was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Jerrell Page. Surviving are her daughter, Brandy (Jim) Everett; grandchildren: Leigh and Kelcey; siblings: Dorothy (Melvin) Hostetler and Ron (Carlene) Laverack; and nieces and nephews: Christopher, Kimberly, Kristen, and Dayton.

A Life Story Service will be held Monday (NOV 14) at 11 AM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, 269-375-2900. A reception will follow in the Life Story Center. Visit Jan's webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories and photos and sign her guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to SPCA of Southwest Michigan.