Caroline Cheryl Hoppenrath

Caroline Cheryl (Holm) Hoppenrath
March 2, 1927 - March 9, 2024
On the occasion of her 90th birthday, Caroline was asked, "What is the secret to living a long life?" "Just Don't Die," was her reply. Such a witty piece of wisdom that her granddaughter Sheila had it tattooed on her calf.
Caroline followed her own advice for 97 years and 7 days.
Born in Nye, Wisconsin to Robert and Tena Holm, Caroline, who preferred to go by Carolyn, was the sixth of 13 children. She attended grammar school in a one room schoolhouse in nearby El Salem. She moved to White Bear Lake, Minnesota for high school, working for a family in town while in school, as her sisters had.
After high school, Carolyn worked at St. Paul Fire and Marine, where she played in the drum and bugle corps. During that time, she met her husband Richard (Dick) and also made many lifelong friends.
Carolyn and Dick married on October 25th, 1952 and shared 57 years of marriage. They had three children: David, Steven, and Sandra. Carolyn dedicated her life to her husband and children, serving them through her efforts to create a beautiful home and harmonious life. After raising their children, Carolyn went to work at Donaldson's, enjoying the fun of retail sales and working with people. In her later years, Carolyn shared a home with her son David and daughter-in-law, Annalee.
How can you measure a person's life? Some would say by their goodness, kindness, and compassion. By that measure, Carolyn's life was full.
Carolyn loved a good chat, especially with her sister Verniel. She also loved to travel with her sisters, going to Ohio to visit their oldest sister Marion, and to the west coast with Verniel to visit their youngest sister, Arlene.
When her granddaughter Maggie married Connor Dedeker, Carolyn was delighted to be able to travel to their wedding celebrations in Canyon Lake, Texas. The recent birth of her great grandson Brooks was a blessing and delight.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years Richard "Dick" Hoppenrath; parents Robert and Tena Holm; siblings/spouses Allen, Arnold (Eunice), Calvin (Dorothy), Curtis (Viola), Dallas (Judy), James, Kenneth (Iris), Marion Probasco, Robert, and Verniel (William) Bushman.
She is survived by children David (Annalee Sower), Steven, Sandra (Jeffrey) Garbrecht; grandchildren Julia Roath, Sheila Hoppenrath, Samuel Garbrecht (Kassandra), Maggie (Connor) Dedeker; great grandson Brooks Dedeker; siblings Herbert Holm and Arlene Jensen.
Celebration of Life Monday, March 18 at 3:00 pm, Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, 5025 Knox Ave. S., Mpls. with visitation at 2:00 pm. Private interment at Elmhurst Cemetery, St. Paul.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, Alzheimer's Association, or donor's choice.
Service will be live-streamed via: https://mtolivet.org/livestream/
Washburn-McReavy.com
Edina Chapel 952-920-3996