Melvin & Marjorie Hoppe

HOPPE BENEDIX UTESCH

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 9/22/2010 at 17:10:53

History of Woodbury County, Iowa 1984

Melvin and Marjorie Hoppe Family
By Mrs Marjorie E Hoppe

Melvin Frederick Hoppe, September 3, 1919, was born to Elsie Irene Benedix, June 11, 1892, and William Frederick Hoppe, March 26, 1887 – 1957, at Pierson. Melvin has an older sister, Alice.

Marjorie Ellen (Utesch) Hoppe, April 21, 1921, was born to Mary Cleao Parks, January 12, 1892-1960, and William Randolph Utesch, May 3, 1889-1960, on the family farm near Correctionville. The farm is just south of Good Hope Cemetery where her parents are buried. She had five sisters, Faye (Goodwin), Violet (Altemus), Alice (Volkert), Phyllis (Todd), and Wanda (Friedrichsen) and one brother, William Randolph, Jr.

Melvin grew up in Pierson, graduated from Pierson High School in 1936, attended Iowa State University in Ames and returned home to farm the family farm, 1939-1983.

Marjorie grew up on her family farm and graduated from Correctionville High School in 1938 with a Normal Training Certificate. She taught school two years at Miller No. 2 near Anthon.

Melvin and Marjorie met in 1939 and were married March 15, 1941 at Salem Lutheran Church, rural Correctionville.

Four children were born, Sonya Marlene (Kostan) on July 29, 1942 at home. Sonya graduated from Correctionville High School in 1961. The University of South Dakota, 1965, history major, and from the East West Center of Hawaii (1966) with a Masters Degree. She earned a scholarship to Hong Kong and spent one year there. Before returning home she continued on a trip around the world. She knows the Chinese language and received a position with the Federal Government (Washington, DC). Sonya married Florian Kostan, born May 15, 1927, on February 20, 1970. Florian also works for the Federal Government and also speaks Chinese and several other foreign languages. This couple has been on assignment many times overseas, especially the Far East.

The second daughter, Ellen Dee Jolly, born November 23, 1943, was born in Sioux City and also graduated from Correctionville High School in 1962, and attended one year at Iowa State University. She graduated in 1966 from the University of South Dakota; she wanted to be near her sister. Ellen taught math in the Omaha Public Schools one year, then went into extension work, filling a position at Pocahontas, Iowa. She met Richard Lorin Jolly, born September 9, 1945, a vocational agriculture teacher in Palmer. They were married December 28, 1969 at Pocahontas, Iowa. Richard took a position with Lynnville Sully the following year and Ellen started her Ellen’s Fabric Shop at Newton. She has several people employed at her store. On July 4, 1972, Ellen and Dick returned to Correctionville to attend her tenth class reunion being held in Sioux City. On the way home they went to sleep and the car hit a twelve-foot embankment, throwing both occupants out. Dick’s head hit a fence post; he was in intensive care for a month and unconscious three months. Dick had to learn to talk, walk, and think and after ten years has made a comeback beautifully. Ellen suffered two broken arms and a broken pelvis. She lay in traction for four months. The couple has two boys now, Kyle Lorin, born April 9, 1974, and Bret Lee, born September 7, 1982.

The third daughter, Susan Christine, is the third daughter of the third daughter (Marjorie). She was born February 17, 1953, at Schaller, Iowa. Susan graduated from Eastwood Community School, Correctionville, in 1975. She attended the University of South Dakota for two years and received the honor of being in the teacher’s core. She was employed with the Lennox, South Dakota school and graduated in May of 1977. She met Rod Schrag, born August 19, 1953, a teacher, and they were married August 3, 1977. They have two children, Amber Christine born March 20, 1981, and Nicklaus John, born June 1, 1983.

A boy, Karl Frederick Hoppe, was born May 3, 1958, at Cherokee, Iowa. He grew up on the farm and still likes the farm life. Karl graduated from Eastwood Community School in 1976, graduated from South Daktoa State University in 1979, with an Animal Science Degree. He returned to the University to get his Masters of Arts, December 1983. He received scholarships and was employed by the college as manager of research farm. Karl and Mary Nesvold were married June 5, 1983 at Madison, Minnesota. Mary graduated SDSU, 1983 in Animal Science.

While Melvin was farming, Marjorie again started teaching, 1948-1951. Then she started again in 1967 with Eastwood Community School (lower elementary). She received her degree from Morningside College, graduating in 1973.

Melvin has served as township clerk of Union Township since 1955. He served on church board and elevator boards.

All four children enjoyed confirmation of their churches, all honor society members of high school and college, and all enjoyed 8-9 years of 4H activities. All three girls took demonstrations to the state fair and held many offices.

It was a great privilege to be entrusted to raise and watch them grow into adults.