Carey Kopp obituary

Carey Ann (Anderson) Kopp, 45, of Lake City, Minnesota, passed away peacefully in the arms of her loving family on September 26, 2023 after a 9-month battle with cancer.  
Carey was born May 28, 1978 to Don and Dorothy (Clauson) Anderson. She grew up in St. Charles, Minn. with her two older brothers, Marc and Eric, and her younger sister, Christa. Always a close-knit family, they enjoyed time together, much of which revolved around music. From an early age Carey was singing and playing the piano, and it soon became what she was known for (that, and her quick wit and kind heart!). After graduating from St. Charles High School in 1996, she went on to attend Luther College in Decorah, Iowa for Music Education, graduating in 2000. It was here she learned and perfected her craft of directing and truly fell in love with teaching, all while doing what she loved – singing and making music.   
After graduation, Carey landed her first teaching job in Lake City, Minn. Like many new teachers in their first years, her’s passed in a blur of teaching, learning, trial and error, relationship building and of course music making.  At some point, Lake City didn’t just become a place she worked, but home.  Carey grew into a respected leader, not just at school, but in her community as well. While in Lake City, Carey found lifelong friends, and built on the tradition of choral excellence at Lake City High School. Her trick, if you can call good teaching a trick, is that Carey loved her students.  She was real with them, and they, with her. She was their secret keeper, their dream keeper and biggest advocate when they needed one.  She was exactly the kind of teacher you wanted your children to have!   
Carey married Travis Kopp in 2003 (later divorced) and together they have two beautiful children, Emma May and Owen Anders. Carey’s light continues to shine through these two, as they fondly remember the mom that supported them in all activities and dreams they had. She loved her kids fiercely and we know she is watching over them as they not only live on through her legacy, but certainly create their own. She is so incredibly proud of them.
In the winter of 2022, Carey lost her voice, an important tool for a singing teacher.  After treatment with an ENT, she was told to hydrate and go on partial vocal rest. When this didn’t help and she developed shortness of breath and severe fatigue, she again saw a doctor. After tests that confounded the best at Mayo, she was diagnosed with lung cancer, interstitial lung disease and an autoimmune disease.  A diagnosis that threw everyone in her life into a tailspin.  
All of 2023 she fought.   She endured terrible treatments with even worse side effects. She walked this unknown path – remaining strong for her children Emma and Owen, but also for herself.  She fought until the very end, when it was finally time for her to sing again.  
Carey is survived by her beautiful children, Emma and Owen Kopp, her loving and supportive parents, Don and Dorothy Anderson (Rochester, Minn.); brothers, Marc Anderson (Lake City, Minn.) and Eric (Sarah) Anderson (Rochester, Minn.); a sister, Christa (Adam) Danielson (Northfield, Minn.); nieces and nephews, Jasmyne Johnson, Jordyn Anderson, Ian Hayes, Parker Danielson, Sawyer Danielson, Vivian Danielson; and many other close family and friends. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Raymond and Eunice Anderson and Fred and Nettie Clauson; uncles, Duane Anderson and Norman Clauson; her aunt, Mary (Clauson) Lee;, her aunt and godmother, Karleen Anderson; and her dear sister-in-law, Rachael Anderson.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, October 15, at 3 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Lake City with Pastor Paul Miller officiating.
Friends and family may visit on Saturday, October 14, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Lincoln High School Gymnasium, in Lake City, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Sunday.
Carey’s family will have picture boards available at the visitation if you would like to bring a picture to share in the display of her love of friendship, teaching, and music.   
Arrangements by Schleicher Funeral Homes, Lake City Chapel.  Guest register may be signed at www.schleicherfuneralhomes.com.