Date of Birth:
Saturday, August 25, 1928
Date of Death:
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Age:
81 years old

Louis James “Lou” Hoppa

Louis James “Lou” Hoppa, age 81 passed away on Sunday, February 21, 2010 at his home in Rochester. A Mass of Resurrection will be held for Mr. Hoppa at 10:00AM at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church on Thursday February 25th 2010, with Rev. Msgr. Gerald A. Mahon officiating.  Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 24, 2010 from 4:00PM to 7:00PM at Macken Funeral Home, and one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery with military honors provided by American Legion Post 92. Louis was born on the feast of St. Louis, August 25, 1928 to Louis and Cecilia (Pezalla) Hoppa in Breckenridge, MN. He graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic Grade School and Breckenridge High School. He played on his high school’s first undefeated team and was the editor of the school newspaper. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps, and was honorably discharged in 1948. He graduated from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks in 1952. During summers in the late 40’s and 50’s, he enjoyed playing amateur baseball: his favorite sport.

On February 11, 1953, he married Rosalyce “Kitty” Molacek at the Catholic Church of the Assumption in Callaway, MN. The couple met when Kitty was completing nursing school in Breckenridge.  Together, they had six children.

Mr. Hoppa worked in sales for five years before starting a 30-year career with IBM Rochester. He held several management and staff positions until his retirement in 1987. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, was a Master Gardener, and was a member of the American Legion Post 92. He grew wonderful garden vegetables, with tomatoes being his specialty. Over 30 years, he won many ribbons at the Olmsted County Fair. He shared his garden produce with several families. He was a volunteer at the Intercultural Mutual Assistance Program, helping to settle Cambodian refugees. He held leadership positions with the St. Pius Boy Scouts. He was awarded the St. George Medal, and the Bishop’s Medal. He was a lifelong member of the Democratic Party. In 1990, he started the Heritage Garden and Orchard at the Olmsted County History Center, of which he was a lifetime member.

For many years, Lou and his family vacationed in Otter Tail County, eventually purchasing a cabin in 1977, where the family enjoyed many summers on West Leaf Lake.

Louis is survived by his wife, Rosalyce (of 57 years), his children, Catherine (Jon) Fraley of Evansville, IN. Mary Ellen (Michael) Coleman of Rochester, Jean (Craig) Sunderman of Cambridge, MN, Joseph (Deb) Hoppa of Wausau, WI. James (Linda) of Forest Lake, MN, Anthony (Lori Lynn) of Delano, MN. Ten grandchildren, Thomas Fraley, Brenna and Timothy Coleman, Sarah, Angela and Noah Hoppa, Emily and Anna Jean Sunderman, Aaron Hoppa, Ella Hoppa. Louis was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters. Memorials are preferred to Channel One Rochester, or Paws and Claws Humane Society.