Lloyd Hopley

1941 - 2024

It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Lloyd Henry Wilfred Hopley, who lost his battle with cancer in Virden Health Centre, on April 7, 2024.

Lloyd was born on October 10, 1941, to Arthur and Edith Hopley, in Redvers Saskatchewan. The family moved to Lenore, Manitoba when Lloyd was four. While attending Lenore school he met the love of his life, Ihros. Lloyd worked on the farm for his father while Ihros worked in Brandon for Manitoba Telephone. The two were married on August 23, 1963, and Arthur and Edith moved to Virden so Lloyd and Ihros could begin their farming career. One year later Kim was born, and Brian followed in 1965.

They farmed pigs in the early years, and eventually Maine Anjou cattle. Lloyd's Emberlite Farms attended shows across North America and built lasting friendships with many cattle producers around the world. Lloyd's biggest achievement in the cattle industry was breeding one of the first Canadian breed Black Maine Anjou bulls to win Louisville, with Hopley's Showtime. With Lloyd and Ihros's steady leadership and hard work, the farm was prosperous and even became moderately famous. The brick house on the hill of which they were so proud was featured in the film The Last Winter, and Emberlite Farm was even featured in a long-lost board game called Risky Business!

In 1998 Lloyd and Ihros sold the cattle and machinery but stayed on the farm. They helped design and build Hamiota Feedlot, which would be his passion for the next several years. After many successful seasons working the feedlot, they began heading to Arizona during the winter months, where they travelled and golfed with friends. Together, they happily and contentedly enjoyed the fruits of their labour.

In 2023, the two celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, surrounded and celebrated by friends and family, who now remember him as a kind, caring, and devoted family man. He is sorely missed.

Lloyd is predeceased by his brother, John, his parents Arthur and Edith, his sister Margaret and brother-in-law Ronald. Also, by his grandson Tylor, and his granddaughter-in-law Candice.

He is survived by his wife, Ihros; by his daughter Kim and husband Jim Hallberg, and their children Aerock, his fiancée Airianna Kotantoulas, and Kristen, her husband Phil Bauer, and their two children, Jacob and Grayson; and by his son Brian and wife Karen Hopley, and their children Regan and Curtis. Also, by his nieces Wenda (Donald) Best and family, Carolyn (Alan) Nykoliation and family, and nephew Bruce (Chelsey) Sangster.

An interment service and funeral will be held at Breadalbane Cemetery, south of Lenore, on April 27, 2024, at 2:00 pm. A luncheon will follow immediately at Virden Legion Hall.

For those who wish, donations in memory of Lloyd can be made to Lenore Community Club, Prairie Mountain Health for Virden & Area Palliative Care, Royal Canadian Legion Br. No. 8 - Virden, or Virden Lions Club.