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Elise Hoben

May 23, 2015
Kalamazoo, MI

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Elise Jean Hoben, age 62, of Kalamazoo, MI died on May 23, 2015. The world has lost an outstanding public servant with the death of Elise Jean Hoben. Elise was born to Richard and Jean (Ansorge) Hoben on April 2, 1953 in Adrian Michigan and passed away on May 23, 2015. Elise grew up in Adrian and attended Adrian Catholic Central High School and Adrian Senior High School. Elise graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and received her Master's degree in Public Administration. In 1979, Elise married Brian Hoppe. Elise leaves behind her two children, Mary Christine Hoben Hoppe of Kalamazoo and Daniel Alexander Hoben Hoppe of Chicago, Illinois and their father, Brian Hoppe. She is also survived by five brothers and sisters, Michael Hoben (Sarah Shults) of Canton, Catherine Hoben (John Calhoun) of Peoria, AZ, Christine Hoben (Jack Berry) of Traverse City, Mary Hoben (John Huonker) of Oswego, NY and her twin, Richard Hoben (Susan) of Granville, OH. 12 nieces and nephews and 16 great nieces and nephews also survive. Elise remained close to her extended family, Bruce and Judy Hoppe of Nashville, TN and Jane and Tony Abruzzo of Phoenix AZ. She was a generous and beloved member of the Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) community. She was preceded in death by her parents and one niece, Katie Hoben. Elise dedicated her career to public service and revitalizing communities across the United States. Elise began her career with the Van Buren County Department of Social Services in the Migrant Services Program. Later, she joined the City of Kalamazoo in the Community Development Department. In 1992, Elise accepted a position as the founding executive director with the Kalamazoo program of LISC, a national nonprofit community development investment corporation. Seven years later, Elise moved on to Rural LISC as Vice President and played a key role in building that program. Her strong sense of compassion and deeply felt respect and admiration for the community leaders she worked with everyday will remain as her enduring legacy. Due to health issues, Elise reluctantly left the job she loved in 2013. Her many friends and business associates cherished her infectious sense of humor and selfdeprecating wit. She was able to do serious work while managing never to take herself too seriously. She had a clever knack for breaking down barriers and cutting through red tape with personal connections. Elise was a founding board member of InterAct of Michigan and an involved board member of the National Rural Housing Coalition and "10,000 Friends of Rural America." When not working, Elise was an avid golfer and enjoyed producing and editing videos for special occasions for friends and family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial contributions may be made to InterAct of South West Michigan. According to her wishes, a private family memorial gathering has taken place. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel.