Kathryn Kopitzke

On October 2, 2021, the world lost a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend when Kathryn Kopitzke of Fallbrook passed away peacefully in her sleep. She was 94 years old. Kathryn was born and raised in Anaheim where she met her future husband, Vern Kopitzke, at Anaheim Union High School, however the romance did not blossom until after graduation.

She joined the Kappa Delta sorority at UCLA, graduated in 3 years, and married Vern in 1947. They raised their children Janet (Brugman), Julia (Clifford), and Keith in West Covina for over 20 years. During that time, she got her teaching credential at Cal State LA, and later her Masters Degree at Azusa Pacific. Kathryn was a distinguished elementary teacher in West Covina for 19 years before she and Vern retired and moved to Fallbrook in 1986.During her 35 years in Fallbrook, she enjoyed volunteering at the Friends of the Fallbrook Library, Angel Shop Thrift store, and celebrated over 60 years in P.E.O. helping women further their education.

Never one to sit still, she was active in other groups, including the Newcomers Club, Just For Fun Group, the Red Hat Society, Questers antiquing, and also played Mahjong and bridge. However, her years as a teacher and travels with her family were the fondest memories she most often shared with everyone

Kathryn is survived by her three children and their spouses, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. A memorial will be held on Nov. 6 at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 1405 E Fallbrook St in Fallbrook. In lieu of flowers, her family requests a donation to the Salvation Army or the Angel Society of Fallbrook in her honor.