Gloria Mae Hopf, age 87, was called home to eternal life on Friday March 24th, 2023.
Gloria was born in Cleveland, WI on August 25th, 1935 the daughter of the late Henry and Gertrude
(Buchberger) Matthias. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Johns and St. Peters in Cleveland. She
attended Center School and graduated from Central High School in 1953. She worked at Matthias Dairy
and H.C Prange Company before her marriage to Donald J. Hopf on September 18th, 1954 also at St.
Johns and St. Peters Lutheran Church in Cleveland, WI. She then moved to the family farm in the Town
of Herman where they raised four sons and resided there for 50 years. Gloria loved her large farm house
and decorated for every special occasion especially Christmas and Easter with the help of her beloved
grandchildren. She also loved flowers, had a large garden and enjoyed canning, baking fresh bread and
going for long country rides with her husband after Sunday dinner. They also traveled extensively in the
United States and Hawaii. In her free time she enjoyed watching TV, shopping and reading Christian
literature, especially Amish novels. Gloria and Donald were members of a card club for 50 years and
enjoyed couples bowling. They also enjoyed attending many of their grandchildren’s sporting and music
events. Gloria was also a volunteer in the gift shop at Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center for 22 years.
In 2005 they moved into the village of Howards Grove to enjoy their retirement home where they
celebrated their 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries.
Gloria was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Howards Grove, sang in the Senior Choir for many
years, was a member of Christian women’s fellowship and also loved Monday morning bible class.
Survivors include three sons and daughter in laws; Gary (Dawn) Hopf, Dale (Linda) Hopf, Dean (Stacy)
Hopf all of Howards Grove and Karen Hopf of Sheboygan. Nine beloved grandchildren; Christopher
(Stephanie) Hopf of Fond du Lac, Kimberly Hopf (special friend Brad) of Monona, Matthew (Kim) Hopf of
Grafton, Justin (Beth) Hopf of Howards Grove, Brittany (Martin) Buckner of Chicago, Ashley Hopf (special
friend Devin) of Sheboygan Falls, Dylan Hopf of Howards Grove, Kinsey Hopf (fiancé Lucas) of Plymouth
and Kiley Hopf of Sheboygan. Two step-grandchildren; Malik Griessmeyer and Malaya Capetillo (special
friend Auggie) of Howards Grove. Ten great-grandchildren; Cohen and Brycen Hopf of Fond du Lac,
Avery, Brody, and Cayson Hopf of Grafton, Carter, Lincoln, and Olivia Hopf of Howards Grove and Piper
& Porter Buckner of Chicago. Many nieces and nephews, especially two special nephews, Jeff Kraft of
California and Tim Matthias of Mosinee. Sister-in-law and brother-in-law Marilyn and Wallace Roethel.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Donald James and son Keith James and her parents
and in-laws Norbert and Roma (Huhn) Hopf, four brothers; Elroy (Sadie), Merlin (Janette), Bart (Betty),
Willard (Alice) and two sisters; Evelyn Kraft and Dorothy (Joe) Pitsch. Sister-in-law and brother-in-law
Beverly and Carlyle Kleinhans. Also preceded in death by her good friend and singing partner Dorothy
Brass, like the song we sang many times together, God be with you, till we meet again.
Thank you to Rita Bender and Emily Swarton my beauticians for all your years of faithful service as well
as my good friends Jolla Thiel and Delores Ochs.
Thank you to Tender Hearts, Comfort Keepers, Fresh Meals on Wheels, Harvest Home, and Sharon
Richardson Community Hospice for all their care.
A Funeral Service will be held for Gloria on Saturday, April 1st at 12:00 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church,
W2776 State Hwy. 32 in Howards Grove with Pastor Noah Fremer officiating. The family will receive
visitors from 9:30 am-12:00 pm. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. For those who would like
to attend the service virtually, can do so on Gloria’s obituary page on the funeral home website.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Gloria’s name can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church.
To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.zimmerfuneralhome.com
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