In Memory of James "Francis" Hopkins

James “Francis” Hopkins, age 84, of Wall Lake, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, March 7, 2019, at the Loring Hospital of Sac City, Iowa.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 15, 2019, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church of Wall Lake, Iowa. Father Joe Dillinger will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a Vigil Service at 5:00 p.m. and a Rosary at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 14, 2019, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church of Wall Lake, Iowa. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

James “Francis” Hopkins, the son of James E. and Lazetta (Konradi) Hopkins, was born July 31, 1934, in Ida Grove, Iowa. Francis was raised in the Ida Grove, Schaller, Correctionville and Galva, Iowa areas. He graduated Valedictorian of the class of 1952 from Galva High School. After graduation Francis took over the task of maintaining the farm when his father passed away.

The family eventually purchased a farm near Wall Lake, Iowa and the entire family moved. Francis spent his life working on the family farm as a crop and livestock farmer. He was still residing on the family homestead at the time of his passing. 

Francis was a faithful and active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wall Lake and was part of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed reading, especially Westerns, and playing a competitive game of euchre. Francis was a very helpful, hardworking, and intelligent man who enjoyed spending time with his siblings and their children. 

Left to cherish his memory include his brother Joseph (Susan) Hopkins of Burnsville, MN and his children Kristine Hopkins and Kelli Hopkins, Kelli’s children Thomas Hopkins and Michael Bell all of Burnsville, MN; sister Margaret Hopkins of Wall Lake, IA and her children James (Pam) Teague of Holstein, IA, Ron (Amber) Teague of Sac City, IA and their children Bryce and Jacie Teague; Mary (Timothy) Gunderson of Kiron, IA and their children Jessica and Amanda Gunderson.

He was preceded in death by his parents James and Lazetta Hopkins; and his sister Sister Mary Jane Hopkins.