Hilary Michael Hopfauf

Hilary Michael Hopfauf, age 76, of Glendive, Montana, passed away Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at the Billings Clinic Hospital.

Hilary was born August 9, 1947 to Hilary Hopfauf, Jr. and Josephine (Safratowich) Hopfauf in Dickinson, North Dakota. He attended St. Joseph's Grade School and Trinity High School, graduating with the class of 1965. On July 8, 1968, Hilary married his high school sweetheart, Jeanette (Jean) Jablonsky. To this union, they were blessed with two children: Paul and Pamela.

After high school, he served in the North Dakota National Guard Unit for six years. In 1971, he received a B.S. Degree in Education from Dickinson State College. From 1971 to 1977 Hilary taught Earth Science and World Geography at the Junior High School in Glasgow, Montana. In 1977, he received a Masters of Education Degree from the University of Montana and became the Vice Principal and Athletic Director (1977-1979) at the Baker, Montana High School. In 1979, Hilary moved his family to Glendive, where he accepted the Vice Principal position from 1979-1984 at Dawson County High School (DCHS). From 1984-1996, he served as Principal at DCHS. During this tenure, Hilary became very involved with the Montana High School Association, as President of the Eastern Class A Division; he served as President of Montana Association of Secondary School Principals and President of the School Administrators of Montana. In 1991, he was honored as the Montana State Principal of the Year. Hilary retired from education in 1996.

A strong belief in hard work and fair treatment of students, co-workers and community members were hallmarks of his life. He repeatedly stated that "as educators, if you don't like kids, you are in the wrong line of work." Being a people-person, he always sought the good in others. He treasured the many times former students would stop to chat about their time in school. He was proud to be a Dawson County Red Devil and was present at most school events (often standing with his arms crossed, holding the wall up in the gymnasium)!

It is not a coincidence that Hilary passed away on the feast day of St. Joseph. His life emulated St. Joseph in so many ways including his deep faith, selflessness to community, devotion to family, not to mention his talent and love for woodworking. His strong desire to give back to one's community never wavered. He truly believed in the importance of faith, family, friends, and community. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, serving on the Sacred Heart School Board, Church Finance Council, and was privileged to be a Eucharistic Minister and administered to the home-bound for several years.

Over the years, he immersed himself on many committees, some of which included: youth and foster care, scholarship review, community intervention fund-raising, ABC Baseball Program, Migrant Children Education Program, Crime Stoppers Board, County Water Associations, he was a long-time member of Glendive Lions Club, Elks Lodge, Eastern Montana Community Concert Association, and served on the Glendive Medical Center Board from 1994-2004. Hilary was a lifelong car enthusiast from five years old when he removed all the door handles, chrome trim and began wet sanding his father's brand-new car so he could change the paint color. Later in life buying, fixing, rebuilding and reselling countless vehicles (often more than once). He obtained his driver's license at the age of 14 proceeding to wreck at least one car per year until he turned 17. He learned auto repair and bodywork from his father making him fix his own cars. He was also a member of the Badlands Drifters Car Club, enjoying his own collector cars, and treasuring many friendships.

Hilary purchased the former Standard Oil Gasoline Station on Main Street in Glendive, remodeling and operating it as Hop's Auto Sales & Cellular. In later years, changing the business to Hop's Lube & Tire Exchange, until his second retirement in 2011. This past summer, he shared a list with his family of over 30 different jobs he had from the first day he was eligible to work. He earned the reputation of being able to fix most anything!

His greatest pride and joy were his grandchildren and spending time with them and attending their activities. He especially loved to cook in his outdoor kitchen for gatherings and community events. He was a talented woodworker, sharing his creations with family and friends, building numerous pieces of furniture and new kitchen cabinets for Jean, taking grandchildren on camping trips, which included mystery dinners and backwards parties, starting with dessert first! He loved spending time in Makoshika State Park with Jean and dog, Toby.

Hilary is survived by his wife, Jeanette of 55 years, children: Paul (Amy) Hopfauf and their children Michael and Alex; Pamela (Calvin) Dean and their children Christopher and Elizabeth; two brothers Tom (Alesia) Hopfauf of Dickinson, North Dakota and Patrick (Sandee) Hopfauf of Missoula, Montana; Sisters-In-Law and Brothers-In-Law, Debbie and Arthur Arakawa and Ed and Dennel Niezgoda; many nieces and nephews; his special Italian family Giovanna (Francesco) DeSeta and their children, Anna and Francesca.

A Rosary service will be held at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at the Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glendive with Father Francis Schreiber officiating. Rite of Committal will follow in the Dawson County Cemetery in Glendive. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks consideration of memorials to the Hilary M. Hopfauf Memorial Educational, Career and Technical Scholarship fund.

Remembrances and condolences can be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.