Ermine Charlotte Hopkins

Ermine was born on June 3, 1921 in West Branch, Iowa, the oldest of three children of Harold W. and Edrie M. Stuart. She moved to Oregon with her parents as a young child, and lived in Oregon for most of her life.

Ermine was a loving wife, mother, sister and friend. She was kind and caring, thinking of others much more than herself. Throughout her long life, family was her focus. She spent years researching family history and had a huge collection of family photos, memorabilia and mementos. Her research efforts culminated in two books on family history that will provide inspiration for generations to come.

She married Larry Hopkins while they were college students in 1941 at Oregon State University, and later they attended the University of Oregon where Larry graduated. After graduation Larry briefly worked as a geologist for Alcoa Mining Company in Alaska and started with Boyd Coffee Company in 1946. He worked his way up from route salesman to Vice President and General Sales Manager. Throughout those years Ermine and their family lived in Medford, Tacoma, Seattle and Portland. Retiring in 1977, they moved to King City, Oregon (Tigard). They became dedicated golfers in their retirement and enthusiastic Oregon Duck fans.

Her family was always the center of her life and she derived great joy from encouraging and supporting her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a good dancer, and she and her husband were active members of a square dance club in Seattle. During retirement they traveled to Europe, China and Southeast Asia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Greece, Alaska, Scandinavia and Costa Rica. During the 1980’s they were “snowbirds”, spending their winters in Morro Bay, California. Her husband of 66 years, Larry passed away on October 2, 2007.

Ermine died on March 7 at age 103. She leaves a large and loving family and a legacy that will go on for many generations. She is survived by her sister Beth Ann Maxfield (96) of Temecula, California, and her children John S. Hopkins (Ellen) of Port Orange, Florida, James W. Hopkins (Linda) of Gig Harbor, Washington, Kathleen J. Chambers (John) of Hillsboro, Oregon, and Richard D. Hopkins (Diane) of Spanish Fork, Utah. Her grandchildren are Michael, Matthew, John, Heather, James, Jeffrey, Jordan Hopkins, Jonna (Chambers) Robison, Thomas, David, John, Jeffrey Chambers, Daniel, Nathan, Mark, Julianna (Hopkins) Spencer, Emily (Hopkins) Johnson, Louisa (Hopkins) Bartholomew and Ammon Hopkins, and 52 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Larry E. Hopkins and her brother Roland H. Stuart.