HOPFNER, Donald DanielDonald Daniel Hopfner was born on November 25th, 1934 on the family farm near Lake Lenore. He passed away at Parkland Place in Melfort, on October 23, 2011 at the age of 76 years. Don attended country school and later high school in Lake Lenore. He worked with his dad and brothers doing electrical wiring in the early 1950's and also helped on the farm. In 1957 Don married Phyllis Krakowka and together they had 4 children. His first big job was at the Gardiner Dam where he spent 6 years. In 1966 he moved his family to Fort McMurray, Alberta where he worked for 11 years in the oil sands. His dream was to have his own business, so when he left Fort McMurray he bought a motel in Drayton Valley, Alberta and later one in Mayerthorpe, Alberta. When his wife became terminally ill they had to sell the motel and they moved to Kamloops, BC where Phyllis passed away. Don met Jennie Simon (Hague) and they married in 1982. They lived in Kamloops, BC for one year and then moved back to Saskatchewan to be nearer to Don's parents. They purchased a motel in Naicam. After several years they sold the motel and purchased a house in Naicam and lived there until the present. They both managed the Naicam Housing Authority and farmed at Middle Lake for ten years. Farming was always close to Don's heart and he worked for a local farmer in Naicam for many years. Don was not all work and no play. Over the years he enjoyed skiing, boating, fishing, golfing and traveling in his motor home. He also enjoyed music and dancing. Don and Jennie went to many Oldtime Dances and Polka Fests. Don was a true music lover. Don and Jennie enjoyed traveling and seeing new places. Over the years they traveled to Hawaii, Mexico, Arizona, and adjacent states, a tour of Florida, a Caribbean Cruise, a bus tour of Eastern Canada and US, and a wonderful trip to Yellowstone National Park. They explored many historical sites in both Canada and the United States. Two favourite places to escape some of the winter weather were Penticton, BC and Apache Junction, Arizona. Don is survived by his loving wife Jennie; his children Brian (Sylvia) Hopfner; Valerie (Al Starcheski) Clarkson, Donny, Ashley; Marilyn (Darren) Braithwaite, Cory, Amanda (Steven Bain) and great grandchild Aiden; Karen Hopfner, Devin, Callie; his stepchildren Brent (Shirley) Simon, Richelle; Yvette (Jack Tobin) Simon, Colby, Paige; Craig (Brenda) Simon, Rhea, Megan, Nikki; his brothers Ralph (Diane), Roy (Pauline) and Bernie Hopfner and a sister-in-law Genevieve Hopfner. Don was predeceased by his first wife Phyllis, his parents Ben and Lorene, his brother Delmar and his granddaughter Deanna. A Funeral Mass for Don was held from St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church, Lake Lenore, SK on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. with Father Richard Meidl OSB as Celebrant. The interment followed in the St. Anthony Roman Catholic Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers were "Don's Family & Friends", and the urn bearer was Brian Hopfner. Ushers were Donny Clarkson and Cory Braithewaite, looking after the memorial register and bulletins were Ashley Clarkson, Callie Hopfner-Evenson, Megan Simon, Richelle Simon, Rhea Simon, Nikki Simon and Paige Tobin. Readers were Devin Hopfner-Evenson and Amanda Bain, Intercessions by Jack Tobin, cross bearer, Colby Tobin, and special music was by Fred Gerwing. Friends so wishing may make memorial contributions to the Canadian Cancer Society.To leave condolences for the family, please visit the online guestbook at www.fedusiakfuneralchapel.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Fedusiak Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, of Melfort, SK.
