Jody Alzner

Alzner, Jody M. Of Kalamazoo, MI Jody Marie Alzner, age 45, went home to be with the Lord on February 24, 2019. Jody was born June 20, 1973 in Kalamazoo, to parents James and Nancy (Frey) Snook. She was a graduate of Portage Northern High School, and went on to earn her Bachelor's Degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. She continued her education at Michigan State University, earning a Master's Degree in Social Work. While at Xavier, she met the love of her life, Richard K. Alzner, and they married on May 13, 1996. Jody always knew she wanted a large family, and over the years they had four amazing Children: Emma, Evan, Lily and Anna. Jody lived to be a wife and mother. Her family was the center of her universe; she relished in the day to day family chaos. Jody loved attending her kids' academic and sporting activities, and planning the family's hiking adventures. Jody's never-ending love was the glue that bound her family together and comforted them in hard times. Jody loved gardening around her home and she was often planning her next DIY home renovation. She was known to suddenly start tiling a backsplash or fireplace surround. Jody was always hands-on and used this skill for other house projects: her family loved her holiday bakingpeanut butter bars, popcorn balls, and homemade gingerbread houses. Jody joined Calvary Reformed Church seven years ago, becoming a devoted member of the community and a faithful servant of the Lord. Her selflessness and unyielding work ethic led her to organize and run the Calvary Clothes Closet, which provides free clothing to those in need. Her efforts at the Clothes Closet have helped thousands of disadvantaged families within the Kalamazoo community. Jody also found time to give to families in need through Bethany Christian Services Safe Families program. Jody loved having babies and children around the house who needed love and attention during times of crisis. After years of being on the waitlist, Jody recently became a volunteer at Bronson Hospital to snuggle babies in the NICU, giving her the chance to provide premature babies with the physical contact vital to their development. Jody will be missed most of all by her family, but her mark on the community will remain forever. Jody is survived by her husband of 22 years, Rick Alzner; their four children: Emma (18), Evan (16), Lily (10) and Anna (8); her mother Nancy Snook; her brother Scott (Tracey) Snook; her sister Jennifer (Joseph) Campagna; nieces and nephews; and many other special family and friends. Jody was preceded in death by her father James Snook. The family will receive friends for a memorial visitation from 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, March 15, 2019 at Calvary Reformed Church (7829 South 5th Street, Mattawan). A memorial celebration of Jody's life will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at Southridge Church (6726 Texas Drive, Kalamazoo). Immediately following the service there will be a time of food and fellowship at Calvary Reformed Church (7829 South 5th Street, Mattawan). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jody's memory may be made to either the Alzner Children's Educational Memorial Fund or to Calvary Clothes Closet. Checks for the Alzner Children's Educational Memorial Fund should be mailed to Consumer's Credit Union, 1511 West Centre Avenue, Portage, MI 49024. Checks for the Calvary Clothes Closet should be mailed to Calvary Reformed Church, 7829 South 5th Street, Mattawan, MI 49071. Please visit Jody's personalized web page and guest book at www.langelands.com