Annette S. Ophaug

Age 78, of Lansing, MI, passed away April 15, 2017. She was born January 30, 1939, in Grand Forks, ND, to Cora (Gunderson) and Edwin Jacobson. She graduated from Central High School in Grand Forks in 1957.

Annette, the “professional volunteer,” began her call to service at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, where she became the first woman to serve as president of the congregation. Her parents raised her to understand that a meaningful life involved giving something back to the community. She held many leadership roles in a variety of charitable, community and church activities.

She joined the Mary Magdalen League and St. Lawrence Auxiliary at St. Lawrence Hospital in the mid-1980s, where she earned a distinguished volunteer award for her community service in 1997. In 1998, she was the first volunteer to be elected to the Sparrow Women’s Board. Among her many accomplishments, she was a 1,000 Points of Light program nominee under the President George H.W. Bush administration and she also received recognition for her volunteerism from President Bill Clinton. Annette was the first Auxiliary president to obtain the vote on the hospital board. In 2004, she became the president of the Sparrow Women’s Board of Managers and was a Women’s Board emeritae member. She was also the driving force behind the Sparrow Physicians recognition program. Annette was currently a longtime member of University Lutheran Church.

Annette is survived by her sons, Curt Ophaug and Craig (Wanda) Ophaug; grandsons, Nathanial Ophaug and Jacob Ophaug; great-granddaughter, Traci-May McGinley; brother, Edwin Jacobson Jr.; brother-in-law, Francis (Grace) Ophaug; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 53 years, Roger A. Ophaug in 2011; daughter, Carolyn Ophaug in 1978; sister, Sylvia Quirk; and brother, Gerald Jacobson.

She will be fondly remembered for her never-ending caring spirit and baking abilities.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, at University Lutheran Church, 1020 S. Harrison Rd., East Lansing. Her family will receive friends beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the church. A luncheon will immediately follow the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sparrow Regional Children’s Cancer Center c/o the Sparrow Foundation. Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.