Joanne Hopen

Joanne Hopen passed peacefully from this Earth into her heavenly home on October 30, 2023 at the age of 89.  Born Joanne Carolyne to Carl and Marjorie (nee Schober) Emmel in Green Bay, Wisconsin June 12, 1934.  Joanne grew up surrounded by a close-knit community of family and friends on the shores of Green Bay.  She attended Green Bay East High School graduating in 1952.  Joanne attended Valparaiso University.  Utilizing her superb organizational abilities, Joanne worked in several administrative assistant roles until she married Herbert Hopen on September 12, 1959.

Family was her abiding focus and joy following her marriage.  Herb and Joanne began their academic travels at Michigan State University, East Lansing Michigan, where Herb completed his graduate studies.  Next came three cold years in Duluth at a University of Minnesota Experiment Station.  From there they headed south to the University of Illinois, Urbana.  It was a great city to raise their family.  The couple spent 20 years on the flat prairie.  Returning to the green rolling landscape of Wisconsin at the University in Madison.  During sabbatical leaves they also lived in Norway, Greece, Rome and Tucson, Arizona.

Loving learning and travel, the couple spent retirement enjoying numerous domestic and global Road Scholar excursions.

Joanne was known for her hospitality extended through a love of cooking as well as her beautiful handwriting.  Recipe cards bestowed upon the lucky few have become treasured possessions.

Preceded by her parents, Joanne is survived by her loving husband of 64 years Herbert Hopen, children, Tim Hopen (Kathy) of Anadarko Oklahoma, Rachel Gustafson (Bill) of Fontana Wisconsin, grandchildren Erika and Aren Gustafson, and brother Paul Emmel of Minneapolis, Minnesota,

A memorial service will be held at Oakwood Village University Wood Chapel on Friday November 17th, beginning at 1pm. A reception will follow, with the burial of the ashes at Forest Hill Cemetery at 3pm. 

Memorials may be made to Oakwood Foundation: www.oakwoodfoundationinc.org