Donald J. Hopf, age 83, a loving
and supportive husband and father, dedicated farmer and a man of strong faith,
passed away of an apparent heart attack at his home on his father’s birthday February
20
th
. 2019.
Donald was born in the town of
Mosel on May 14
th
, 1935 the son of the late Norbert and Roma (Huhn)
Hopf. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in the town of
Mosel. In 1945, at the age of 10, he and his family moved to his present farm
in the town of Herman where he farmed his entire life. He attended Champion and
Howards Grove schools. He was united in marriage to Gloria Matthias on
September 18
th
, 1954 at St. Johns and St. Peters Lutheran Church in
Cleveland, WI. Donald was the Outstanding Farmer of Sheboygan Country in 1970.
He was a dedicated, caring sales representative for Pioneer Seed Company for 22
years. Then, he was a sales representative for Garst Seed Company for 8 years
and most recently with Nutech Company, along the way achieving many awards.
Donald was a member of DHIA and was on the board for 6 years. He was awarded a
plaque for being a friend of DHIA in March 2000. He was a delegate and was
featured in the IH Farm Forum Magazine on Dairy Farming in 1977 in Chicago, IL.
Donald was a chaperone for the Howards Grove FFA trip to Kansas City. Also, he
was a member of the Farm Bureau for over 50 years and the Howards Grove Fire
Department where he was a past director. Donald was a well-known tractor puller
for over 35 years alongside his sons. He loved his farm, land, Case IH tractors
and especially the Combine as well as his beloved farm dogs; Cocoa, Jackson and
Harley. Donald loved taking long country rides with his wife after enjoying
Sunday dinner to look at the crops. They also traveled extensively in the
United States including Hawaii. He was a member of a card club for 50 years and
enjoyed couples bowling as well as attending many of the grandchildren’s
sporting and music events. In his free time he enjoyed reading farm papers and
magazines and loved giving advice and talking to other farmers, both young and
old. In 2005 Hopf Farms LLC was formed with Donald and sons Gary and Dean.
Also, in 2005 Donald and Gloria moved into the village of Howards Grove to
enjoy their retirement home where they celebrated their 50
th
and 60
th
wedding anniversaries.
Donald was a faithful member of
Trinity Lutheran Church of Howards Gove, a former elder and trustee. He was
also on the building committee for the handicap addition and President of the
Cemetery Board.
Survivors include his beloved
wife Gloria and 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 Dave) of Monona, Matthew (Kim) Hopf of Grafton, Justin
(Beth) Hopf of Howards Grove, Brittany (Martin) Buckner of Chicago, Ashley Hopf
and Dylan Hopf of Howards Grove and Kinsey Hopf of Iowa and Kiley Hopf of
Sheboygan. Two step-grandchildren; Malik Griessmeyer and Malaya Capetillo of
Howards Grove. Seven great grandsons and two on the way; Cohen and Brycen Hopf
of Fond du Lac, Avery, Brody and Cayson Hopf of Grafton, and Carter and Lincoln
Hopf of Howards Grove. Two sisters; Mrs. Marilyn (Wallace) Roethel of rural
Cleveland and Mrs. Beverly Kleinhans of Sheboygan Falls, and many nieces and
nephews.
He was preceded in death by his
beloved son Keith James, his parents Norbert and Roma (Huhn) Hopf and his
in-laws Henry and Gertrude (Buchberger) Matthias, and grandparents as well as
six brother in-laws, two sister in-laws and their spouses.
A funeral service will be held for
Donald on Friday, March 1
st
at 11am at Trinity Lutheran Church, Howards
Grove. Pastor Darrel Bergelin is officiating. Interment will follow in the
church cemetery. The family will receive visitors on Thursday, February 28
th
from 4-8pm at Zimmer Westview Funeral and Cremation Care Center, W2132 Garton
Road, Sheboygan and at the church on Friday from 9:30am until the time of the
services.
In lieu of flowers the family
requests memorials be given in Donald’s name for Trinity Lutheran Church.
The Hopf family wish to thank the
Howards Grove First Responders.
Condolences may be made online at
www.zimmerfuneralhome.com
“Just a Farmer”
“Just a farmer,” you said, and I laughed, cause I knew
all the things that farmers must be able to do.
They must study the land; then watch the sky,
and figure just when is the right time and why.
To sow and to plant; To buy and to sell;
To go to the market with cattle and well…
You know the books that farmers must keep;
To pay all those taxes and be able to sleep.
And you know the fixin’ that farmers must do
When machines like mad monsters break a gasket or two.
I guess when God needed folks to care for His earth,
He chose “just farmers” cause he knew their true worth.
By Helen G. Coon
