Sarah G. Leis Hopp

Sarah Grasmick Leis Hopp, 85, of Scottsbluff, died Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at the Residency in Scottsbluff, NE. Her memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 6, 2009 at Salem Congregational Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor Dale Brown officiating. A private family interment will be in Fairview Cemetery. Cremation was held at Sunset Memorial Park Crematory. Sarah was born in Laurel, MT on March 13, 1923 to Henry Jacob and Catherine (Grasmick) Grasmick. She came to Scottsbluff at a very young age wither parents, five brothers and two sisters. She received her education in Scottsbluff. In 1941 she was united in marriage to George Harold Leis at Salem Congregational Church. They made their home and farmed in Minatare until his death in 1967. They had two children, Patricia Joan, born January 9, 1942 and George Harold Leis, Jr., born August 24, 1946. Following Harold’s death, Sarah attended Joseph’s Beauty College graduating in 1968. Along with her daughter, she owned the Beauty Boutique beauty salon in Minatare until her marriage to John L. Hopp of Hastings, NE in 1969. Johnny and Sarah made their home in Hastings wintering in Naples, FL, the following eight years and in Mesa, AZ for six additional years. While in Mesa, Sarah received her certificate of graduation from the Spectral School of Arts in 1987. As a member of Spectral Artists, Sarah won numerous awards for her work in the mediums of oil, pastel, and charcoal. Sarah was also a member of the Apache Artists of Mesa, AZ. One of her favorite pastimes, golf, led to her winning club champion in 1984 in the ladies organization at Southern Hills Country Club in Hastings, NE. She was an avid gardener and was awarded the Golden Spade Award twice. Johnny and Sarah made their home in Scottsbluff in 1988. Sarah was baptized and confirmed in Salem Congregational Church where she taught Sunday school, vacation Bible school and sang in the adult choir for many years. She was also a participant in Salem’s Friendly Circle and Reach Out programs. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, George and Diana Leis of Scottsbluff, grandsons: Jonathan Rau, Osceola, NE, Benjamin Leis, Scottsbluff, NE; granddaughters and their husbands: Theresa and Brendan Lilley, York, NE, Andrea and Phillip Arellano, Scottsbluff, NE; great grandchildren: Jordan Greeley, Gering, NE, Taryn Greeley, York, NE, and Sarah and Whitney Arellano both of Scottsbluff, NE; and special family friend Don Mefford, Osceola, NE. Her parents, husbands Harold and Johnny, daughter and son-in-law Patricia and Stanley Rau, seven brothers and three sisters preceded her in death.