Howard Hopke

Howard Hopke, age 75, of McIntosh, MN, passed away on Thursday, March 16^th, at his home. A memorial service will be held at a later date. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 13^th, at the McIntosh Community Center with the Rev. Timothy Lundeen officiating. Interment will be in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, McIntosh. Family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service on Thursday (13^th) at the community center. Military honors will be conducted by the Army Honors Team. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of McIntosh and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.

Howard Henry Hopke was born on September 16, 1937, in Fosston, Minnesota to parents John and Cora (Berge) Hopke. He grew up on the family farm, attended Willow Grove country school and Fosston High School.

Howard served in the United States Army in Germany from 1961 to 1963.

After returning home, he decided to try Alaska for work and found steady employment in the construction trade running heavy equipment until the early 1980’s, then worked for contractors close to home.

He was married to Charlotte Yergens on December 1, 1970. A former hunter, he later became a defender of wildlife and was passionate about pets.

Survivors include his wife, Charlotte; nieces, Melissa Benson Fredericks (Jim), Janelle Benson Shaver (Randy), Sandra Lee Larson (Keith), Sharon Lee Johnson, Susan Lee Anderson (Gerald), and Shelley Lee Boyce; nephews, Perry Benson, Jeffrey Benson (Robin), Bryan Benson (Shanel), and Scott Lee; sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Willard Benson; and grand nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John; sister, Joyce Hopke Lee; and his mother and father-in-law, Leslie and Myra Yergens.