Kathleen C. "Kay" Hoppenrath

Kathleen C. "Kay" Hoppenrath (nee McKenna), age 92, most recently of Buffalo Grove, IL, formerly of St. Louis MO, LaGrange, IL, Downers Grove, IL, Naperville, IL and Carillon in Plainfield, IL, passed away on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Sunrise of Buffalo Grove, IL. Beloved wife of Robert E. "Bob" Hoppenrath (deceased), loving mother of John (Amy) Hoppenrath of Buckeye, AZ, Margaret "Peggy" Thompson of Las Vegas, NV, Patricia (Ray) Adamatis of Carol Stream, IL, Mary Anne (Rich) Nee of Libertyville, IL, and James (Janice) Hoppenrath of Irvine, CA; adored grandmother of Blaine (Bo) Russell, Michael (Breezy), Christopher and Steven Adamatis; Julia Nee (Vivek Mishra), Bridget (Ben) Gordon, Michelle Nee; McKenna and Madison Hoppenrath; great-grandma of 3; devoted daughter of the late John ("Jack") & Helen McKenna, dear sister to the late John "Jack" (Pat) McKenna, the late Thomas and Ann McKenna, the late Mary & Dick Martin, the late Joe (Diane) McKenna, and Patricia & Bob Blair; fond sister-in-law, cousin, aunt, great-aunt, and friend to many.
Kay was born in St. Louis, MO. Her family moved to LaGrange Park, IL when she was in junior high school. She attended Nazareth Academy High School. She met the love of her life, Bob, through mutual friends and they got married in 1956 at St. Francis Xavier Church in LaGrange, IL. They started their family in Downers Grove. Naperville was where they put down roots (35 years). Kay and Bob were pillars in their community, but especially devoted as founding members of St. Raphael Church in Naperville. The family spent many hours volunteering there and participating in numerous fundraisers to help build the church. Kay was a religious education teacher, long standing member of St. Raphael choir, president of La Leche League, and so much more. Kay was so involved in her community that she even spearheaded a clean up of a neighboring shopping center, which involved the entire family working after school and weekends, tirelessly weeding the Naperville Plaza. When her children were young, Kay babysat children at the family home (usually children of teachers). She also worked at Elmwood School as a teacher's aid and Wolf Medical Group in the front office. Later in life, Kay worked for Homebuyers Inspection Services in Naperville.
After she and Bob retired, they moved to Carillon in Plainfield where they resided for 17 years, became members of St. Andrew church in Romeoville, IL, and enjoyed their golden years with many friends from those communities. They were happily married for 66 years before Bob passed away in 2023. They set an amazing example for their children in the love they shared for each other and their family. We all remember Kay for her amicable personality, strong faith, love of music, and good heart. She was always available to lend a hand to those in need or lend an ear to those who needed comfort.
A special thank you to the many caregivers during the 8 years that she needed additional assistance from Brookdale of Lisle, Sunrise of Fountain Square, Sunrise of Buffalo Grove, and Guardian Hospice.
All are welcome to Kathleen's celebration of life on Friday, July 18th, 2025, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville, IL, 60563. The funeral Mass begins at 10:30 a.m. with a visitation preceding the mass at 9:30 a.m. in the church narthex.
Future internment: Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Kay can be made to:
Little Friends, Inc., 27555 Diehl Road, Warrenville, IL 60555 (630) 355-6533, https://www.littlefriendsinc.org/donate