Berneice Hopkins

A visitation for Willetta Berneice Hopkins was held 11:00 a.m. till 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 with family present 6-8 at Hastings Funeral Home in Perry. A graveside service took place 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at the Rippey Cemetery. Rev. Max Phillips of the Perry Lutheran Home and Christ Lutheran Church provided words of comfort. Erin Stewart was the honorary bearer. Berneice's casket bearers were: Gary Huit, Dennis, Steve, Drew, Clinton, and Brian Hopkins. Interment was in Rippey, Iowa at the Rippey Cemetery. Willetta Berneice Hopkins daughter of Gilbert Kirk and Beatrice Sampy, was born March 21, 1923 in Waukee, Iowa and died August 10, 2012 at the Perry Lutheran Home. She was 89 years old. Berneice grew up on a farm near Waukee. After graduation she drove truck for her dad's shelling business. On March 1, 1948 Berneice married Jack Audas Hopkins. The couple lived south of Rippey most of their lives and farmed the Rippey area. They were blessed with two sons Dennis and Clinton. Berneice loved dancing polka and dancing with Jack at area nursing homes. She taught Sunday School at the Rippey United Methodist Church for many years Berneice enjoyed traveling with her family. Jack and Berneice took trips to Hawaii, Alaska, Germany, Mexico City, Canada and even the World's Fair. They traveled to all the states West of Iowa. She made many friends when they spent the winters for 20 years down in Texas. She enjoyed canning Jack's garden produce. She was an excellent cook; fixing farm meals, always cooking for family for holiday gatherings. She belonged to the Rebekah Lodge, Des Moines Polka Club, and the Birthday Club. Berneice is preceded in death by her parents, grandson Jason Hopkins, husband Jack November 8, 2009, sister Bernadine Sealine and brother-in-law Don Sealine. Berneice is survived by her two sons: Dennis (Gail) Hopkins of Perry and Clinton (Cynthia) Hopkins also of Perry, 4 grandchildren: Steven (April), Brian, Erin (Andy Stewart), and Drew Hopkins; 4 great-grandchildren: Taylor Hopkins, Aubree Rae Stewart, Jerzie and Jaxson Hopkins; niece Lori Sealine; nephew Steve Sealine, many more friends and relatives. www.hastingsfh.com