Dale “Hoppy” Kenneth Hoppmann, 78, of Kendall died Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, at the Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital in Tomah.
He was born to Ervin and Marie (Thielker) Hoppmann on March 19, 1935, in Barre Mills. He was baptized and confirmed from St. John’s Lutheran Church in Barre Mills. He attended the Barre Mills Parochial School and later was a member of the West Salem High School graduating class of 1953. After graduation, he joined the United State Navy and served during the Korean War.
He was united in marriage to Joyce Waldron on Dec. 5, 1957, at St. John Lutheran Church in Barre Mills. Together they purchased a farm in the town of Glendale and raised their five children. Dale enjoyed training horses and had a team of miniature team of Halfling horses. Also, he enjoyed working in the garden with his wife and going to auctions.
Dale and Joyce represented Mr. and Mrs. Claus at the local hospitals and for the children in the area for more than 30 years. He would always share with the children the meaning of Christ in Christmas.
Hoppy worked at several different places during his lifetime: he worked as a boiler man while in the Navy, at the Ford Motor Company, at Fort McCoy as an electrician, for the Badger Ordnance Company, and in his later years, at the Brandau Auction Barn in Kendall.
He was a faithful member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church and a former member of the Kendall Lions Club. Dale was a proud grandpa and great-grandpa; he was active in his grandchildren’s life and tried to attend as many of their events as possible. He was a devoted husband and a loving father.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joyce of Kendall; five children, Elmer (Ruth) of Kendall, Kevin (Robin) of New Lisbon, Perry (Pamela) of Elroy, Paul (Sandra) of Wilton and Cindy (Brian) Pickler of Eau Claire; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; a sister, Marion Berg of West Salem; two brothers, Wayne (Marilyn) of La Crosse and Daniel (Kathy) of Elgin, Ill.; a brother-in-law, Eddie (Sandra) Waldron of Hillsboro; and many nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Hilbert Berg.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 17, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kendall. Pastor Steven W. Neumann will officiate. Burial will be in Glendale Cemetery, with military honors by the William J. Schriver American Legion Post 309 of Kendall.
Relatives and friends are invited to call at the church from 4-8 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. until the time of service Friday.
The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences can be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
