Lana Jean Brock's Obituary
Mrs. Lana Jean Brock, age 85, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 12, 2026 in Muskegon, Michigan. She was born in Caro, Michigan on July 9, 1940 to John and Jean (Bardwell) Turner. Lana met the love of her life, J. Walter Brock, in junior high school, and they were married on May 28, 1960. Together they shared 56 wonderful years of marriage before Walter’s passing in 2017. Early in their marriage, Lana worked at a medical laboratory in Ann Arbor to support the family while Walter attended the University of Michigan Law School. While Walter was in law school, they started their family welcoming their daughter Megan in 1963 and Marisa in 1965. After Walter graduated from law school, they moved to Grand Rapids where Lana stayed home with her two young daughters while Walter clerked for a federal judge. The family later settled in Muskegon where Lana was able to pursue her own college education once her children were school aged. In 1974, the family purchased an 80 acre farm east of Muskegon. Soon after, Lana began her studies at Grand Valley State University. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from GVSU in 1980 majoring in environmental sciences. Upon graduation, she had hoped to pursue a career in forestry, however funding cuts to the national forestry service that year led her in a different direction. With encouragement from Walter, Lana decided to make use of their 80 acres to create a hobby farm and began raising Suffolk lambs. Over the next few years, she grew their hobby farm to a flock of 60 and learned how to shear sheep, administer veterinary care and vaccines, and even spun her own wool. Eventually she decided that sheep farming was not her calling, requiring a few too many early mornings and late nights in the barn during harsh Michigan winters, and decided to pursue opportunities in education. In 1984, she began working at Muskegon Community College in the Biology Department as a Laboratory Supervisor. After a few years at MCC, she took a position at Grand Valley State University where she spent the remainder of her career. Committed to living a healthy and active lifestyle, Lana enjoyed racquetball, downhill skiing, and running. One of her proudest accomplishments was completing the Detroit Marathon at the age of 40. She also played first base on the “lawyer’s wives” softball team, the McCroskey Misfits for many seasons. Lana was an avid reader throughout her life and loved traveling with friends and family, especially on trips to Sarasota & Siesta Key, the Florida Keys, Glacier National Park, Hawaii and St. Thomas. Above all else, she cherished time spent with her family, creating memories that meant so much to her. Her love, strength, and devotion to those she held dear will be remembered always. Lana is survived by her daughters, Megan (Chris) Foote and Marisa (Edward) Green; grandchildren, Kelsey (Kyle) DeHaan, Sydney (Ryan) Shriver, Oliver Green, and Eleanor Green; great-grandson, Otto; and brother, John “Jack” Turner. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walt; parents; and sister-in-law, Marge Turner. A CELEBRATION OF LIFE OPEN HOUSE will be held from 11:00AM – 1:00PM Saturday, July 25, 2026 at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444 with FAMILY REMARKS starting at 12:00PM. MEMORIALS in memory of Lana may be directed to Harbor Hospice Foundation of Muskegon for support of the Leila & Cyrus Poppen Hospice Residence. Burial will be in Spring Lake Cemetery. You may sign her online guestbook at https://www.sytsemafh.com
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