Thomas LeRoy. Hopke, age 81, of Sauk Rapids passed away Jan. 29, 2022, at the Melrose Nursing Home after a brief illness.
Private graveside service and burial were held at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Sauk Rapids. Arrangements are with Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud.
Thomas L. Hopke was born on Nov. 5, 1940, in St. Cloud to Herman and Ione (Stavrum) Hopke. He attended Riverview School on the campus of St. Cloud State from kindergarten through ninth grade. Tom then attended St. Cloud Tech High School where he graduated in 1959.
Tom served in the Army Reserves for six months. Upon his return, he started working at the St. Cloud VA. Some years later, he transferred to the VA in Seattle, Washington. Tom later transferred to the VA in Portland Oregon, where he worked until he retired.
Tom enjoyed hunting and fishing with his dad and brother in his younger years. While living out west, he enjoyed elk hunting and salmon fishing. On his return to St. Cloud, Tom enjoyed fishing at the Mississippi River below the 10th Street dam. He also liked to tie flies for bait to use when fishing.
Tom is survived by his siblings, Terry (Audrey) Hopke, Cynthia (Edwin) Meyer-Holthaus, and Jane (Michael) Spaude; one nephew, Todd Meyer; and three nieces, Lisa Tomford, Heather Stephens, and Kris Thell. He is also survived by his soul mate and best friend for 30 years, Joyce Sanders.
He is preceded in death by his parents and many beloved pets
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