Kathleen Hopkins

Kathleen Anne Hopkins, age 44, of Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Born on January 30, 1981, Katie was known for her vibrant spirit, warm heart, and the deep love she shared with her family.

Katie is lovingly remembered by her children, Eleanor and Benjamin Vieau, whom she shared with her former husband, Aaron Vieau. She is also survived by her parents, Ronald and Christine Hopkins, and her brothers, Matt (Jen), Daniel (Gemma), and Tim (Christine). Katie held a special place in her heart for her nieces and nephews-Jamie, Samantha, Amelia, Harriet, Andrew, Charlotte, Tessa, Mara and Dax-all of whom brought her great joy and were deeply cherished.

Katie had a lifelong passion for the performing and visual arts. In her younger years, she thrived in dance and cheerleading. That same passion carried into her professional life, where she built a successful career as a graphic designer, making significant contributions to the state of Wisconsin tourism industry. In addition to her professional success, she was a devoted mother to Eleanor and Ben, whose early years she filled with warmth and love, leaving an indelible mark on their lives.

She will be remembered for her infectious laugh, her sharp wit and playful sarcasm, and the deep kindness that came so naturally to her. She had a special place in her heart for all dogs-every one of them a friend-and an even greater gift for making people feel truly seen, heard, and loved, even while carrying her own burdens. Katie's life touched many, and her memory will live on in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to know her.

Katie lived with the challenges of addiction for many years, a struggle that was deeply personal and often painful. She showed incredible strength in the face of setbacks and continued to fight, supported always by the deep love of her family and those who never gave up on her. Addiction never defined who Katie was-it was just one part of her story. At her core, she was someone who loved fiercely and was deeply loved in return. Her journey reminds us how vital it is to meet struggle with compassion, and how connection and hope can carry us through even the darkest times.

In honor of Katie's memory, the family asks that you consider donating to Alcoholics Anonymous or Al-Anon - organizations that bring support and healing to those who need it most.

A celebration of Katie's life will be held at noon, November 1, 2025 at the Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, WI.

https://contribution.aa.org/sca-dev-2020-1/checkout.ssp?is=checkout&lang=en_US#login-register

https://al-anon.org/contributions/