Kathleen J Hoppa, 82, died peacefully at New Journey Residence in Biwabik on July 9. The daughter of Arnold and Emma Pearson, Kathy was born October 14, 1941, and grew up south of Tower at the Pearson homestead on Wahlsten Road. A graduate of what is now Northeast Range High School and Vermilion Community College, Kathy worked in medical records at Duluth’s St. Luke’s Hospital before marrying Dennis Hoppa in 1966. 

Enjoying their new life together, the couple delivered supplies via snowmobile to Dorothy Molter in the winter and built award-winning floats for the annual Fourth of July Tower parade in the summer. In 1975 they adopted a son, Mark, who for many years competed at the Special Olympics. Kathy coached him in basketball, track and field, bowling, and speed skating, disciplines in which he won numerous medals. Not one to be idle, Kathy was the organist at Imanuel Lutheran Church in Tower for 42 years; was active in Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; and was the longtime secretary and treasurer for the Vermilion Range Old Settlers Association. On February 2, 1996, as a volunteer National Weather Service Observer, Kathy recorded a temperature of -60 degrees Fahrenheit in her backyard, a Minnesota record that stands to this day. 

In 2003 the Hoppas moved to Wuori Township, where she volunteered at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Virginia, continued with the Special Olympics, and recorded rain and snowfall for the National Weather Service. Dennis passed away in 2015. Kathy is survived by Mark, who remembers his mother as having a wonderful sense of humor. 

A memorial service for Kathy will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 5, 2024 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church In Virginia. Pastor Lisz Cheney will officiate. Inurnment will take place in the Lakeview Cemetery, Tower.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution in her name to Our Savior’s.

Family Services Provided by Bauman-Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virgina. To share condolences online, please visit: www.baumanfuneralhome.com .