LuVerne Hopwood

LuVerne J. Hopwood, age 105 of Sauk Centre, passed away on Friday, August 7, 2020 at CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A Memorial Service to celebrate a life well lived for 105 ¾ years will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 20 at First Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre. We ask that those who want to attend the service be aware of the restrictions, the maximum capacity is 70 people, social distancing guidelines need to be followed, masks are required, and no visitation.

People wishing to join the family at a graveside prayer service are welcome. It will be held at the Ada Cemetery on Friday, August 21 at 1 p.m.  Please bring a lawn chair, wear a mask, and social distance.

LuVerne Jessie Stevens was born November 21, 1914 to Harry and Jessie (Davidson) Stevens in Green Meadow Township near Ada, Minnesota. She grew up on the farm and attended country school through the 8th grade. LuVerne attended two years at Ada High before the Great Depression set in and she was pulled from school to help at home.

LuVerne married Peter Hopwood on August 15, 1937. They lived with his mother, Helma and helped her with her dairy business. After Helma quit the business, LuVerne and Peter purchased their own dairy farm in Pleasant View Township in 1952. She did everything on the farm, inside and outside. The couple sold the farm in 1972 and moved into Ada. After selling the farm, LuVerne worked for Fay’s Catering, Creamery Restaurant, and Bob’s Café.

In 2006, LuVerne had an auction and sold her home in Ada and her car and moved to Sauk Centre, where she lived at Lakeshore Estates until moving into the nursing home in December 2019.

In Ada, she was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Eagles Auzilary, Good Will Club, Jolly Neighbors and Homemakers, Neighborhood Birthday Club, Better Living Club, Ada Senior Center, and many bridge and whist clubs. LuVerne enjoyed cross stitching, crafts, cards, and sewing. She received many first-place awards for her cross-stitch pictures and crafts at the local fair. She was part of the church quilting groups for mission work in both Ada and Sauk Centre and has made over 3,000 quilt tops for the Sauk Centre First Lutheran Church. LuVerne was also a wonderful cook and baker.

LuVerne would always say, “No act of love, however small, is ever wasted.” Her smile and graciousness will be missed.

Survivors include her daughters, Bonnie Rae (Allan) Gunderson of Xenia, Ohio, Jerrie Kay (Ray) Wolfer of Argusville, North Dakota, and Vurnie Lyn (Jim) Wilson of Sauk Centre, Minnesota; 10 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

LuVerne was preceded in death by her husband, Peter Hopwood on January 22, 1980; brothers, Stanley and Vernon Stevens; half-brothers, Clayton and Raymond Minnie; infant brother, Kenneth; infant sister, Florence; and grandson, Seth Wilson.