April 18, 1928 - January 1, 2023
On April 18, 1928, Alvin LeRoy Hopkes, son of Ben and Hilka (Miller) Hopkes was born on a farmstead near Ramsey Reformed Church, Titonka, where he lived his entire life until entering the Titonka Care Center in Feb. 2022. He attended grade school at German #5 schoolhouse on the corner north of his home.
Alvin was a kindhearted man to everyone and could talk to anybody. He showed a special concern and love for animals and was especially fond of his kitties, most recently Puddy. As a lifelong farmer, he loved everything about it. It was a joy to him, not an occupation. He was a John Deere enthusiast and had enjoyed fishing and playing horseshoes through the years.
He was a lifelong baptized member of Ramsey Reformed Church. Throughout the years he enjoyed singing tenor in men’s and mixed quartets, the Easter Cantata, and the adult choir of which he was a member for 70 years.
On Sept. 15, 1949, Alvin was wed to Ruby Virginia Heifner at her parent’s home south of Buffalo Center. They met when she was teaching at the same schoolhouse he had attended. They had three daughters and farmed together their entire married life on his family’s Century Farm.
Alvin passed away at the Titonka Care Center on Jan. 1, 2023.
He is survived by his two daughters: Beverly (Joe) Darr of Polk City, and Linda (Gary) Uken of Titonka; his son-in-law, Jim Thomsen of Cedar Rapids; seven grandchildren: Laura (Ben) Schulte of Amana, Brian Thomsen of Cedar Rapids, Emily (Reed) McCullough of Fort Dodge, Benjamin Darr of Dubuque, Holly (Jarred) Adams of Des Moines, Andrea (Josh) Smit of Lake Crystal Minn., and Allison (Casey) Buns of Davenport. Eight great-grandchildren: Austin, Renee and Claire Schulte, Eliza McCullough, Neal and Miles Darr, and Brenden and Lauren Smit. Brothers and sisters-in-law Virgil Heifner of Elko Minn., Myrtle Heifner of Fairmont Minn., Marilyn Heifner of Lone Rock, Cecil and Gertrude Heifner of Belmond, and many friends and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his infant brothers, Raymond and Vernon, his wife Ruby (2006), daughter Marilyn Thomsen (2005), stillborn grandson, Clinton Darr (1978), Brothers and sisters-in-law Jerald and Ardis Heifner, Carrol and Fonda Heifner, Louise Heifner and Robert Heifner.
Private family services were held. Online condolences may be left at www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com