Leona Hopfner

Leona Caroline Wilken was born November 7, 1920 in Alexandria, MN, the daughter of Anna (Peffer) and Carl Wilken. She grew up in Millerville, MN. On October 10, 1941 Leona Wilken and Wilbur Hopfner were married at St. Mary?s Cathedral in St. Paul, MN. The couple made their home in St. Paul for a short time before moving to Brandon, MN in 1944. They were blessed with two children, Judy and Doug. Leona and Wilbur became longtime residents of Brandon and loved living there. Leona was an amazing gardener. She was known for her beautiful flowers every summer. She was a wonderful baker and her family and friends especially loved her lemon bars and her dumplings. Leona enjoyed reading about current events and watching sports. She was a woman of strong faith and often arrived at church early with Wilbur to pray the rosary. She had a wonderful sense of humor. Leona loved to laugh with Wilbur and he loved to entertain her and make her laugh. She enjoyed listening to Wilbur?s band and liked to dance the waltz and polka. Leona was proud of her family and always liked visiting with her children and grandchildren. She was deeply loved and will be missed greatly. On Wednesday, November 10, 2010 Leona died at the age of ninety years. She was preceded in death by her brother, Gerald Wilken and four sisters, Marcella Wilken, Florence Anderson, Margaret Augustson and Elmyra Olsen. Leona is survived by her husband, Wilbur; one daughter, Judy Hilgren and husband, Wally, of Bloomington, MN; one son, Doug Hopfner and wife, Susan, of Edina, MN; five grandchildren, Jolie Hockert and husband, Jeff, Kristi Neal and husband, Jim, Andrea Hilgren, and Katie and Matthew Hopfner; two great grandchildren, Hayden and Kaya Neal; two step great grandchildren, Ethan and Logan Hockert; two brothers, Charles Wilken and wife, LaVerle, of Moundsview, MN and Don Wilken of Brandon, MN; and two sisters, Beatrice Perkins of Van Alstyne, TX and Adeline Brozek of Muskegon, MI. A Mass of Christian Burial was Saturday, November 13, 2010 at the Church of St. Ann in Brandon, MN. Reverend Father Arlie Sowada was the celebrant. Evelyn Lanners - music. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Casket bearers: Jolie and Jeff Hockert, Kristi and Jim Neal, Andrea Hilgren, and Katie and Matthew Hopfner. Arrangements: Anderson Funeral Home.