Mary Janet (Banta) Koert

Mary J. Koert, 64 of Concord, passed away peacefully at Emerson Hospital, Concord, Massachusetts with her family at her side. She was the beloved wife of James Koert, and mother of Andrew and Katherine.

Mary was born in Grand Rapids, MI on May 25, 1949 the daughter of the late James S. and Janet (Veenboer) Banta. She attended Forest Hills High School where she met her future husband, Jim. She then attended and graduated from Grand Valley State College and furthered her education by earning a ME in Special Education at Western Michigan University and some years later followed this with an Education Specialist Masters from Eastern Michigan University.

Mary married James Koert on September 4, 1971 and the two of them began a life journey that took them to California, Ohio, Indiana, Minnesota, and Massachusetts along with several stays in Michigan. Mary was a Special Education teacher in Centerville and Portage, Michigan, in the '70's, El Toro, California, in the '80's and Chelsea, Michigan in the '90's. The last segments of Mary's career were as Director of Special Education for Chelsea and Dexter, Michigan public schools and the Bedford, Massachusetts school system.

She was the loving mother of Andrew James and his wife Gina (Tumbarello) Koert of Golden, Colorado and Katherine Alisa and her husband Eric Robbins of Brookline, Massachusetts. Sister of John Banta of Saranac Lake, NY, Steven Banta of Colleyville, TX, David Banta of Atlanta, GA and Ted Banta of Ada, MI. Cherished grandmother of Camden Whyte, Brooklyn Koert and Carver Robbins. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.



Contributions in her memory can be made to the Joe E. Reid Memorial Scholarship Fund at Grand Valley State University. This fund benefits undergraduate or graduate students admitted to the special education degree track.

Donations should indicate that they are being made in memory of Mary Banta Koert.
Please mail all contributions to:
University Development
Grand Valley State University
301 Michigan St NE Ste 100
PO Box 1945
Grand Rapids MI 49501-1945

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For those who require lodging in Michigan contact:
Grand Rapids Crowne Plaza
5700 28th St SE,
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
616/957-1770
www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/grand-rapids/grrcp/hoteldetail
People making reservations should call the GR Crowne Plaza at 616-957-1770. Ask for the front desk In House Reservations. When connected, request the Koert-Banta group room rate.

For those who wish to send flowers visit:
Kennedy's Florals
http://www.kennedyfloral.com/memorial-flowers.asp?topnav=TopNav