Yolanda "Lonnie" Hoeper

Yolanda "Lonnie" Marie Hoeper of Kent, Wash., died on June 27, 2022, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 87.

Lonnie was born in Newport, Wash., to Francis and Helen Swartz. She married the love of her life, Paul Hoeper, in Oct. 15, 1955. They had three children, Katrina, Eric and Cristina. Lonnie and the kids enjoyed a nomadic lifestyle, living in Washington, Florida, California, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming as a result of Paul working for Boeing. She was a loving, fiercely independent mother who adored her kids, grandchildren and AFS daughter Vanessa Gower, who lives in Dubbo, NSW, Australia.

Lonnie is preceded in death by her husband Paul, brother Laurie Swartz, sister Teresa Swartz, both parents and granddaughter Brigit McHugh. She was dedicated to her family, enjoyed working in healthcare and later as a bookkeeper, loved singing in her church choir and Federal Way Chorale, enjoyed cooking and liked maintaining a beautiful yard. She is survived by her daughter Katrina Toole, son Eric Hoeper, daughter Cristina McHugh, and grandchildren Samantha and Thomas Hoeper, and John and Anna McHugh.

A memorial to celebrate Lonnie's life will be held at St. Stephen the Martyr, in Renton, Wash., Oct. 28, at 11 a.m. In a private ceremony, Lonnie will be buried with her husband in Great Falls, Mont. One of her favorite charitable organizations was Seattle Children's Hospital – in lieu of flowers, please send donations in her honor. Her family thanks Valley Hospital Social Workers, Concierge Care, Evergreen Hospice, and Kentridge Elderly Living teams for their compassionate care and dedication.