Joan Hoppis

Joan was born November 14, 1930 in Cheyenne, Wyoming to Frank Nelsen and Vera Rosman Nelsen. They moved to Denver, CO when she was about six months old. Joan always claimed to be a Colorado native though, because she "was not responsible for her parent' foolish decision to be living in Wyoming" at the time of her birth.

While attending Cole Junior High School she would often help at her father's gas station. As well as meeting her future husband, Richard Hoppis, during her years at Manual Training High School, she worked at J.C. Penney in downtown Denver where she operated the elevator or could be found in the gift wrapping department - or other areas of the store wherever an extra helping hand was needed.

Joan and Richard were married April 21, 1950. After two years, the newlyweds, plus their first daughter, Sharon, moved to Aurora where they watched the small town grow and grew their little family. Joan enjoyed volunteering at The Aurora Community Baptist Church and Montview Elementary School. She became a paid employee at Montview as a Teacher's Aide/Library Para-Professional. She turned another volunteer job, celebrating Park Avenue Baptist Nursing Home residents' birthday, into her special ministry; creating moments of joy for others. She enjoyed making people happy and her gifts of cake to the residents made them happy, so Joan became "The Cake Lady" to many happy people. She would sell some of her cakes to help finance the free cakes. From 2002 to 2013 Joan kept a record of how many cakes she made - 2,811!

Over the years she enjoyed cheering her grand and great grandchildren on at their sporting events. For years, family would gather for "Tuesday Night at Gramy's". Both were unfortunately paused this past year due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Joan Hoppis passed away on May 7, 2021. She was preceded into eternity by her father, Frank Nelsen, her mother Vera Rosman Nelsen, her infant daughter Barbara, her brother William Donald Nelsen and his wife, Helen, and her husband, Richard Hoppis, who every day of their marriage found a new reason she was a blessing.

Joan is survived by four daughters and their families:

-Sharon Hoppis, married to Sam Van Zant, and their children:

Katie Van Zant, married to Ian Dizon with sons, Andrew and Ezra.

Tim Van Zant, married to Natasha (Hughes) Van Zant with daughter Lily.

and Michael Van Zant.

-Nancy Hoppis, married to Ed Scalf and their children:

Lisa Scalf, married to Don Bahl with sons Cory and Nick.

Patti Scalf, married to Todd Letz, with daughter Zoey.

Laurie Scalf, married to Kyle Scoggins.

-Janet Hoppis, married to Roger Medbery

and

-Penny Hoppis, married to John Weber, with daughters Peyton and Taylor.

Also surviving Joan are nieces, Kris Nelsen Staff and Liz Hoppis, nephews Lawrence Hoppis, Scott Hoppis and all of their families.