Willis Walter Nuthak Hoppe

Willis Hoppe, age 72, died suddenly at his home on Wednesday, May 12, 2010. Willis was born September 26, 1937 in Norton Township, MN to Walter & Olga (Nuthak) Hoppe. He went to the country school just outside of St. Charles thru the 8th grade. After that, he began working with his father on the family farm and later took over the farm. Willis married Ila Stoltz on November 2, 1963. They lived on the family farm where Willis worked until his retirement in 2000. After retirement, Willis and Ila spent a lot of time traveling in their camper. Willis enjoyed playing his guitar, organ and harmonica and going to the casino. He enjoyed volunteering at the Southeast Minnesota Rural Education and Resource Center in St. Charles.He is survived by his wife Ila of 46 years; children, Keith (Mona) Hoppe of Fairbault, MN, Gloria (James) Roy of Solon Springs, WI, and Darlene Newman of Ladysmith, WI; 8 grandchildren, Bruce Padgett, Amy Hoppe, Sarah Hoppe, Lance Hoppe, Jenny Helstern, Bryan Roy, Justin Roy and Victoria Newman; 2 great-granddaughters, Onnalia Evans and Makenna Helstern; sister Doris (Orvin) Sweningson of Utica.He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Gladys Hoppe.Funeral Service will be 1:00 p.m., Sunday, May 16, 2010 at Hoff Funeral & Cremation Services - St. Charles with the Reverend Heather E. Klason. Friends may call 3-6 p.m., Saturday, May 15, 2010 at the funeral home and also one hour prior to the service on Sunday. Private Family Interment will take place in Saratoga Cemetery. Memorials preferred to the Southeast Minnesota Rural Education and Resource Center or the American Cancer Society. Please share a memory of Willis in his online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com and view his video tribute when it becomes available.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/138015