Ronald "Ron" Hoppe

Ronald G. Hoppe, age 82, of Freeport, passed away peacefully July 9, 2025, at the CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, July 18 at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose with Rev. Edward Vebelun, O.S.B. officiating; followed by visitation until 4 p.m.

The family will be hosting a celebration of Ron’s life from 4 - 8 p.m. at the family farm outside of Freeport. Bring a lawn chair to sit on and enjoy Ron’s beloved lawn.

Ronald Gerald Hoppe was born to Aloys and Rose (Klasen) Hoppe September 10, 1942, in the house he lived in his whole life in Oak Township outside of Freeport and New Munich. He took over a majority of farm responsibilities around age 14 after his father was injured in a farm accident. On July 9, 1963, Ron and Janice (Bolz) Hoppe were united in marriage at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Ron held on to see his 62nd wedding anniversary, a feat he was proud of.

Ron’s most prized accomplishments were his family and his farm. He enjoyed spending time on the farm, mowing acres of lawn, filling dozens of bird feeders, building and maintaining wood duck houses, talking about the good old days, and drinking Grain Belt Nordeast. He took pride in making the Hoppe farm a place for family and friends from near and far to gather, and he always enjoyed sharing the history of the land with visitors. While he was a self-described “stubborn, old German,” he had a soft spot for his grandkids, great-grandkids, and his many pets over the years, and he was always up to share in a good laugh.

Ron was a longtime member of Immaculate Conception Church in New Munich, the New Munich Conservation Club, Minnesota United Snowmobile Association, New Munich Sno Gliders, and he helped start the Wine Hole Fun Riders snowmobile club. He enjoyed running a Skiroule snowmobile dealership and repair shop on the farm until Skiroule went out of business.

Ron is survived by his wife, Jan; his three children - Jeff (Mary) Hoppe, of Freeport; Barb (Dane) Hasbrouck, of Monticello; and Pam (Mark) Salzl, of Monticello - his siblings, Elmer (Karen) Hoppe, of New Brighton; Ruth (Mark) Dundon, of Bellevue, Washington; and sister-in-law Val Hoppe, of St. Cloud.

Ron is also survived by his grandchildren: Markie (Laurel) Budesky, of Monticello; Michael (Taylor) Budesky, of Mankato; Amelia Budesky, of Monticello; Sara Hoppe, of Freeport; and Rebekah Hasbrouck, of St. Cloud. Step-grandchildren: Gunar Salzl, of Deltona, Florida; and Rowan Salzl, of Monticello. Great-grandchildren: Lilah, Landon, Jude, and Owen.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Al and Rose; and his siblings, Edwin Hoppe, Judy Hoppe, Danny Hoppe, Herb Hoppe, Rita Fischbach, Evelyn Fischbach, and Dorothy Hollenkamp.

The family of Ron would like to thank the CentraCare-Melrose Hospital and CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital staff for the care and compassion they showed Ron and his family the past few weeks.

In lieu of flowers, donations to CentraCare-Melrose Hospital would be appreciated.