Beatrice C. Hopfensperger

Beatrice Hopfensperger, age 94, passed away Tuesday, December 20, 2016, surrounded by her children. She left us peacefully amidst the sound of Christmas music and the glow of her tree. She passed as she lived, with grace and dignity.

Bee was born in Kaukauna on December 9, 1922, the daughter of the late Fred and Katie (Brill) Goetzman. She graduated from Kaukauna High School in 1941, and following her graduation she was employed by Thilmany Pulp and Paper in the accounting and billing department. Bee was united in marriage to Irvin Hopfensperger on October 11, 1945. Together they raised five children and enjoyed fifty-two years of marriage. After her children were grown, she worked as a compassionate CNA at Colony Oaks Care Center and later was a devoted volunteer at St. Paul Elder Services. She was a life-long member of St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Kaukauna.

Bee's interests included writing, baking, playing the piano, and gardening. She enjoyed walks in the field with her dog, the comfort of a good book, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Her deepest values included loyalty to her family and faith.

Bee is survived by her loving children: Barb Malfetano of Albany, New York; Charlie (Barb) Hopfensperger of Kaukauna; Jann (Greg) Helf of Kaukauna; Mary (Klay) Kress of Kaukauna; and Kay (Randy) Fischer of Appleton. She was cherished by her eleven grandchildren: Jill Malfetano, John Malfetano, David Malfetano, Jon (Olivia) Hopfensperger, Dan (Abbey) Helf, Maggie (Matt) Byrne, David (Amy) Kress, Jennifer Bea (Joey) Resch, Katherine Kress, Sarah Bea (fiancé Jon Rostas) Fischer, and Claire Fischer. Bee was also very fond of her great-grandsons Parker and Bennett Helf and Miles Irvin Kress. Bee is also survived by her dear friend Mary Derus of Kaukauna, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister: Florence (John) Ditter; two brothers: Leo Goetzman and Cletus Goetzman. Irvin's siblings were Melvin (Connie) Hopfensperger, Delores (Bud) Garvey, Bernice (Don) Van Abel, and Dorothy (Don) Stuyvenberg. Bee was also preceded in death by her nephew Vance Garvey, nieces Pat Van Abel Lindberg and Sue Van Abel, and her in-laws Charles and Anna (Weyenberg) Hopfenspeger.

The funeral liturgy for Bee will be held at 12:00 PM on Friday, December 23, 2016 at ST. KATHARINE DREXEL PARISH – ST. MARY CHURCH, 119 W. 7th Street in Kaukauna, with Fr. Jerry Pastors officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Family and friends are welcome to gather at the church on Friday morning from 10:00 AM until the hour of the service. For more information or to share a memory of Bee, please visit www.wichmannfargo.com.

Our family would like to give special thanks to all the people who assisted our mother throughout her years of dementia. They include her at-home caregivers Beth, Kathy, and Lisa, and all the professional and caring staff at American Grand Assisted Living and Christy Murphy. Our gratitude is extended to those we got to know personally: Alyssa, Amanda, Leah, Lisa, Mary, and Sarah, as well as the rest of the staff who loved and treated mom with respect and kindness and made her feel like part of their family. We are also appreciative of Compassus and Heartland Hospice, and Dr. Patricia Demery for their dedicated care.

Mom, thank you for being an incredible mother, grandmother, role model and best friend to each of us. You will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts.