Gary William Hopkins

Gary W. Hopkins, age 89, of Laurens, passed away on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at PARC Hall in Emmetsburg, Iowa.

Gary William Hopkins was born on July 21, 1934, near Laurens, Iowa. He was the son of Max and Wilma (Ferguson) Hopkins. Gary attended Laurens Schools, then began farming with his older brother, Richard. The Hopkins Brothers, as Gary and Richard were known in the community, took pride in being the first in the field, planting the straightest rows in the county and having the cleanest fields. They farmed and fed cattle together for over 60 years. On May 29, 1954, Gary was united in marriage to Joy Marjibeth "Marge" Rydstrom in Jackson, MN. The couple settled on the family farm where they raised their family.

Gary was a member of the Laurens United Methodist Church and the Masonic Lodge. He loved horses, rodeos and horse racing. He even had a racehorse of his own named Moon Chic. Gary enjoyed the time he spent on the farm and especially the time he spent with family and friends.

Survivors include his daughters, Pamela (Tim) O'Leary of Emmetsburg and Debra Opheim of Cylinder; sons, Robert (Angie) Hopkins of Homedale, Idaho and Mark (Debra) Hopkins of Tiffin; grandchildren, Jonathan O'Leary, Tiffany O'Leary, Angela Jensen, Nicholas Hopkins, Johnathon Hopkins and Christopher Hopkins; seven step-grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Jody (Jack) Bennett of Humboldt, and several nieces and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marge; son-in-law, Eugene Opheim; grandson, Austin Opheim; brother and sister-in-law, Richard and June Hopkins, and sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Kenny Cundiff.

A Recording of Gary's Funeral is available on the Laurens United Methodist Church's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064480308170