HOPPE, Ernest Paul 1911-2005
HOPPE, HORRMANN
Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/27/2009 at 21:38:02
Ernest P. ‘Ernie' Hoppe
FLOYD, IOWA — Ernest P. "Ernie" Hoppe, 93, of 901 Monroe St. in Floyd, died Thursday evening (July 14, 2005) at the Floyd County Memorial Hospital in Charles City.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Fullerton-Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt St. in Charles City, with the Rev. Paul Phillips officiating. Interment and military graveside services by the Charles City Ceremonial Unit will be in Riverside Cemetery, Charles City.
The family will greet relatives and friends from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Fullerton-Hage Funeral Home in Charles City. The visitation will continue one hour prior to Ernie's service on Wednesday.
Those wishing to extend memorials may direct them to the Ernest P. Hoppe Memorial Fund.
Thoughts, condolences and stories may be e-mailed to the family on the www.fullertonfh.com Web site.
Ernest Paul Hoppe was born Nov. 19, 1911, in rural Floyd County. He was one of four children born to his parents, Emil and Anna (Horrmann) Hoppe. Ernie attended and graduated from Floyd High School.
Ernie was inducted into the United States Army on April 17, 1941, and served his country during World War II, achieving the rank of sergeant. After honorably and faithfully serving his designated time, Ernie was formally discharged from his military duties on Dec. 4, 1945.
With the exception of his military service, Ernie was a well-known and lifelong resident of Floyd. He was a self-employed carpenter and handyman, and regarded by many in Floyd as "the local lifeguard." He seemed to be present as a watchful eye when children swam in the Cedar River near his home.
Ernie was content in living a life of simplicity. He was mostly seen in the summertime without shoes, preferring to be barefoot when tending to his errands or his many fruit trees, strawberry and raspberry beds, grape vines and vegetable gardens. His diet consisted of mostly the foods of his labor and he lived by his own personal motto, "Do As I Please!"
Ernie was always available to his family, neighbors and friends whenever there was a call for needed help. Several years ago, the families of Floyd, who thought a lot of Ernie, threw him a special birthday party. Highlighting the celebration was the gift of a new television set, which Ernie had previously never owned in his home.
Many years ago, Ernie dug a long and deep cave into a limestone hill on his property by hand. The cave stored his, and many of his neighbor's, fruits and vegetables; was a shelter from inclement weather, and was complete with electricity. Ernie was proud of his cave and property and welcomed many tours.
In Ernie's earlier years, he helped build motorized air boats with his friends, especially with Ralph Brown. He also found joy in watching college basketball games on television. Ernie is described by his family as a man who was sometimes stubborn yet very determined and friendly.
Ernie will be greatly missed by family and friends who have shared in his life.
He is survived by his brother-in-law, Alton Hendrix of Charles City; his five nephews and nieces: Art Ernst of Charles City, Ray (Betty) Hendrix of Charles City, Virginia (Tony) Koeff of Janesville, Dr. James (Diane) Hendrix of Burlington and Carolyn (Bruce) Wight of Lincoln, Neb., and numerous other relatives and friends.
Preceding Ernie in death are his parents, Emil and Anna Hoppe; his two sisters, Irma Ernst and Vera Hendrix; his brother, Lloyd Hoppe; and his niece, Judy Ernst.
Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, (641) 822-3191.
[Globe Gazette, June 19, 2005 ? ]
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See photo of his tombstone on Iowa GPP.
Iowa GPP
Floyd Obituaries maintained by LaVern Velau.
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