Submitted by: Dan Rich

Eleanor Marie Hoopman

June 16, 1921 - Dec. 16, 2008

South Bend Tribune 12/18/2008
SOUTH BEND - Eleanor Marie Gessner Hoopman went to be with our Lord on December 16 after a long and wonderful life. She was 87. Eleanor was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Mabel Gessner; her sister, Judith Challoner; her brother, Royce Gessner; numerous extended family members and friends. She is survived by her husband, Harold D. Hoopman, the love of her life; her daughter, Judith Kristin (Hoopman) Hains; her son, David W. Hoopman, and wife, Terry; and her son, Michael J. Hoopman, and wife, Mary. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Melissa (Hoopman) Denson and husband, Travis, Joshua Hains and wife, Karrissa, Derek Hoopman and wife, Caresse, Elizabeth (Hains) Pielemier and husband, Casey, Susan Hoopman, Kelsi Hains and Rebecca Hoopman. Eleanor was recently blessed with her first great-granddaughter, Ella Kay Pielemier, who was named after Eleanor. Special family members also include Bill Gessner, her nephew, as well as Mike, Aleta, Makenna and Connor Foust. Her family was her life, and she loved them all deeply. Eleanor had an amazing and eventful life. After growing up in North Dakota and becoming a teacher, she moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where she met Harold, "Hoop," as she always called him. They wed on July 6, 1946, and took off on a lifelong journey that would have them move 24 times and travel many miles around the world. After living in Guatemala, they moved to Findlay, OH, to raise their three children. Following Hoop's retirement, they moved to Diamond Lake in Cassopolis, Michigan. As grandma Hoopie, she spent some of the happiest times of her life with her family. She loved planning unbirthday parties, working in her herb garden, reading books, knitting, baking pies and watching the sailboat races. She will be missed by all those who loved her and had a great privilege of knowing her. Their lives will be forever changed because of her presence.