Tony Hopfauf

Anton "Tony" Hopfauf, 94, Bismarck, died Aug. 9, 2012, at St. Vincent Care Center, Bismarck, surrounded by his family. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mandan,  with the Rev. Shane Campbell as celebrant. Burial will be at Mandan Union Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Monday at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a St. Anthony Verein rosary at 6:30 p.m. followed by Knights of Columbus rosary at 7 p.m. and parish vigil at 7:15 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.

Tony was born Dec. 2, 1917, to Stanislaus and Emelia (Leingang) Hopfauf on a family farm north of Flasher. He was raised and educated in Flasher. He married Frances Friesz on Nov. 7, 1939, at St. Peter Paul Church in Fallon. After their marriage, Tony and Frances farmed for five years around the Fallon area.

In November 1945, Tony started working for the Northern Pacific Railroad, currently known as Burlington Northern Santa Fe, for 30-plus years. While working at the Northern Pacific Railroad, he started off as a section foreman to later become a track inspector. Tony and family moved to Mandan in 1953. With such a big family, Tony enjoyed family gatherings, especially holidays. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were very special to him. Tony and Frances were also selected as Catholic Family of the Year in 1965 by the Knights of Columbus.

Tony's faith was a very big part of his life. He enjoyed visiting the shut-ins and distributing communion as well as volunteering at the church whenever needed. Another love of Tony's was the Knights of Columbus. He was a Fourth Degree Knight and was part of the initiation team. Because of his dedication, he was selected as Knight of the Year. Tony was a volunteer for The Special Olympics, helping teach bowling to these young people. He was elected volunteer of the year for his role with The Special Olympics and considered them his extended family.

He belonged to many organizations and freely gave his time to the Knights of Columbus, Union of Railroad Brotherhood of Railroad Way, St. Anthony Verein, St. Peter and Paul Verein and the Railroad Museum, where he was also inducted into the Railroad Hall of Fame. Tony and Frances also enjoyed dancing to polka and waltz music every Saturday night with friends.

Tony will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Frances, Bismarck; his daughters, Bernadette "Beno" (Bud) Miller, Mandan, and Janette "Jan" (Tony) Eckel, Maplewood, Minn.; his sons, Ronald (Verdel), Bismarck, Nicholas (Sharon), Allen, Texas, Timothy "Tim" (Deb), Mandan, and Kevin (Roxann), Mandan; 15 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; his sisters, Rose Bohl, Bismarck, Genevieve Eckroth, Mandan, Frances Bohl, Bismarck, Clementine (Eugene) Volk, Bismarck, and Agnes Eckroth, Bismarck; his brother, Florion (Georgia), Culbertson, Mont.; his sister-in-law, Katherine Hopfauf, Bellevue, Wash.; and many friends too numerous to mention.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Gerald "Chad"; his daughter, Maxine McClinn; his son-in-law, Robert McClinn; his granddaughter, Roberta McClinn Ankley; and seven brothers and sisters.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials and donations be given in his name to the North Dakota State Railroad Museum, 3102 37th St. N.W., Mandan, N.D. 58554.

Go to www.weigelfuneral.com to sign the online guest book and view flowers.