Lorene Hopper

Lorene Hopper - June 19,1939-November 23, 2020 Lorene died at the age of 81 years old in Newberg, Oregon. She was born in Nampa, ID, the oldest of Loren and Myrtle Burton's six children. The family lived in many different towns in Idaho and Oregon. She attended 14 schools in 12 years including the historic building on Springbrook Road and Central Grade School in Newberg. She graduated from Adrian (OR) High School in 1957 . She met Howard Hopper at church in Caldwell, ID. They were married March 6, 1957 by the groom's father in Howard's grandparent's living room. They welcomed their first three children, Debi, Roni and Kent, in their first 6 1/2 years of marriage as they lived in different towns in Idaho and SE Washington. They lived in Cloverland, WA for six years where they finished their family with the birth of Kyla. They moved to Newberg, OR in 1969 where they settled permanently. As a young mother she was involved in a boat accident that took the life of her father-in-law. As a non-swimmer, she helped keep her two preschool age daughters afloat on wreckage as her brother-in-law swam for help. After that near drowning as well as one when she was a child, she made sure that her children all knew how to swim. Lorene was a homemaker and all about her family. She was an excellent seamstress who made most of the family's clothes. She supported her children in all their different endeavors and carried it on with the grandkids and great-grandkids. She rarely missed a sporting event, play, band or choir concert, school or church program. Babies and young children were one of Lorene's passions. She did childcare for most of her grandchildren and a couple of her great-grandkids. She loved holding them as they took naps and delighted in teaching them the basics before they started school. She taught them to count by counting the steps as they climbed them. Years later you could hear these kids doing it still. As they all grew and spent time with her they loved hitting the garage sales and thrift stores together. She bowled in leagues for 55 years, only missing the year that Newberg Bowl burned down and then continued at McMinnville Bowl. She bowled six months after breaking her hip three years ago and continued until Covid shut it down in March. Finding treasures with her daughters and granddaughters at bazaars brought her much joy. And she loved the flea market on Labor Day weekend in Sumpter, OR. For over 30 years they met up with her sister Karen and her husband there to camp and enjoy time together. She would find treasures at the flea market to add to the Christmas boxes that she took months to prepare for each family member. She loved Christmas which was evident in her year-round decor. Lorene enjoyed making crafts and collected many things to use in her creations. She quilted and made many blankets for her family. She read the newspaper cover to cover, cutting out things that she thought would interest her children. Soap operas, tabloid talk shows and magazines would give her a different take on life that she would gladly share with her family. Her grandchildren would call it, "the gospel according to Grandma" when she made unusual comments. She was very loyal to her family and very inclusive, making all the in-laws as well as step grandchildren and great-grandchildren feel part of the family. A great example to all of us! Lorene was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed especially during her favorite time of year, Christmas! She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Howard of Newberg, children Debi (Wes) Friesen, Happy Valley; Roni Vergets of Sherwood, Kent (Angie) of Canby; and Kyla Harn of Newberg. 12 Grandchildren and 16 Great-grandchildren. Brothers Sterling of Parma, ID, Daryl (Vonnie) of Newberg and Vaughn (Cathy) of Markham, IL and sisters Karen (Gary) Merrell of Nampa, ID and Melodie Burton of Parma, ID. She was preceded in death by her parents and son-in-law Karl Harn. A small private family service will be held because of Covid restrictions. Donations may be made in Lorene's name to your favorite charity.

Lorene Hopper

June 19, 1939 - November 23, 2020