Jennifer Kowaleski

Jennifer Mae Kowaleski, age 50, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Friday, December 3, 2021, at Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, Lansing, MI.

A Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, December 13, 2021.  Burial will take place at Sunny Hill Cemetery, Fenwick, MI at a later date. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 12, 2021 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home.

Jennifer was born in Killeen, Texas on November 4, 1971, the daughter of Gerald Homer Hopkins and Rose Ann (Witzel) Dennis. Jen graduated from Chippewa Hills High School, with the class of 1989.  She went on to obtain her early childhood development degree from Baker College.  She was last employed as an Early Childhood Development Teacher at Lansing Community College, in Lansing, Michigan.

Jen worked as a bartender at many places: Jambalaya's, Moriarty's, The Green Door, and The Emerald. Her passion was childcare and education. Jen enjoyed spending time at her cabin on Bertha Lake in Harrison. She liked spending time outdoors with family and friends and lounging in the sun with the fresh air. Jen enjoyed music, dancing, horseback riding, sewing and tie-dyeing. She loved attending Wheatland Music Festival religiously. Jen had an infectious smile; she was a people person and never met a stranger.  Also, she loved her dog Ottis.  Jen had an eloquent sense of style.

She is survived by her children: Garrett Kowaleski, Lydia Kowaleski, and Cora Newhall, step-daughters: Kala and Andrea Oliveira-Kowaleski, and Paige and Amy Kowaleski, step-mother Sherry Hopkins, stepfather Gerry Dennis, significant other Steve Newhall, sister Veronica Lazarus, brothers: Adam Dennis, Andy Dennis, and grandmother Martha (Klingensmith) Witzel.  She is survived by one niece McKenzie Lazarus, two nephews: Rex Wheeler, Jr., and Colten Wheeler, aunts, uncles, and beloved friends.   She was preceded in death by her parents: Rose Dennis and Gerald H. Hopkins.

Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.