Shirley May Hoppenyan

Shirley May Hoppenyan, 97, of Duluth, passed away Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at Viewcrest Health Center surrounded by her loving family. She was born on October 21, 1927 in Superior, WI to Lester and Alma Barton. Shirley graduated from Superior Central High School. She married James Hoppenyan, her high school sweetheart, on October 1, 1945 in Superior, WI.  In her younger years, Shirley worked at Elliott Meats and then Western National Bank. Her working career continued at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church as the Religious Education coordinator, a secretary at the Duluth Public Schools and ending her career at Western National Bank where she was the secretary to the president. She was an active member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church where she was the choir director, taught catechism and was a lector and Eucharistic minister. She was a member of the Slovenian Women’s Union and always lent a hand to whomever needed it. Shirley’s legacy is not just in the years she lived, but in the lives she touched, the hearts she warmed and the souls she inspired, even on her hardest days.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jim; a son, James; sisters, Katherine Schuster, Marion Tilly, Bea Oberlander and Eleanor Hadley.  Shirley is survived by three daughters, Lori (Michael) Kaess of Andover, MN, Mary (Butch) Koepke of Duluth, Kathy (Steve) Goldschmidt of Duluth; a son, Thomas (Donika) Hoppenyan of Ft. Myers, FL; a brother, James (Gloriann) Barton of Superior, WI; 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Shirley’s family would like to thank the staff at Keystone Bluffs Assisted Living, Viewcrest Health Center, and Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospice for their wonderful care and compassion. 

Visitation will be from 10 am until the 11 am Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. 610 99th Ave West. Rev Fr. Michael Patullo officiating. A luncheon will follow in the church social hall. Interment in Calvary Cemetery, Superior, WI. Any memorials may be directed to Stella Maris Academy or to The General Ministry, Diocese of Duluth, 2830 E 4th Street, Duluth MN 55812. Arrangements by Williams Lobermeier Boettcher Funeral Home.