of Hooper
Died Thursday January 29, 2015
at Dunklau Gardens in Fremont
Willis was born July 29, 1937 on a farm near the Scribner Air Base to Clarence and Elnora 'Thomsen' Bopp. He was raised in rural Hooper. Willis was baptized on September 12, 1937 and confirmed on May 13, 1951 both at Bluffs Trinity Lutheran Church. He graduated from Hooper High School in 1956. After high school Willis joined the United States Navy serving aboard the USS Hancock (CV/CVA 19) from 1956 to 1958. After his military service he returned to the area. He married Janice Thernes on June 28, 1959 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hooper. After his marriage, he farmed in the Maple Township area and continued to farm his whole life, moving into Hooper in the spring of 2014.
Willis was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, serving the church in many ways including the Redeemer Church Council and the Redeemer Foundation Board. Willis was involved in many community activities. He served on the Maple Township Board, District 88 School Board, Hooper Co-op Board of Directors, Hooper Medical Clinic Board, Logan View Foundation Board and as the area President of the AAL (now Thrivent Financial). He is a lifetime member of the Angus Association and Lifetime Member of the FFA Alumni Association. Any one who needed something fixed brought it to him and he loved fixing things in his shop.
Survivors:
Wife Janice of Hooper
Daughter Nancy and husband Mike Ecklun of Holdrege, NE.
Son Ron and wife Gail Bopp of Hooper
Grandchildren Chris and wife Lindsay Ecklun of Holdrege
Matt and wife Breanna Ecklun of Holdrege
Lisa and husband Joel VonSeggern of Hooper
Stephanie and husband Will Johnson of Hooper
Great grandson Carter VonSeggern
Step Brother Gareld and wife Sara Wulf of Fremont
Step Sister Connie and husband Glenn Langemeier of Fremont
Sisters-in-law Kay Bopp of Ballwin, MO.
Marjorie and husband Arlen Gnuse of Fremont
Julene and husband Larry Karloff of Yutan
Brothers-in-law Louis and wife Sharon Thernes of Hooper
Ken and wife Berniece Thernes of Hooper
Many nieces and nephews
Willis was preceded in death by his parents, sister Loretta (Mruz) Riskowski, brother Marlin Bopp and an infant brother.
Visitation will be Sunday at Redeemer Lutheran Church from 2pm to 6pm with the family receiving friends from 2pm to 4pm. The funeral service will be 10:30am Monday at Redeemer Lutheran Church. The Rev. Joel Schroeder will officiate. Burial will follow in the Hooper Cemetery with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Redeemer Lutheran Church, Lutheran Family Services, Nebraska Children's Home Society and the Salvation Army.
Ludvigsen's Hooper Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Online guestbook at www.hooper-scribner.com
Condolences(13)
John and Wendi (Elma) Mowrey
Bonita Springs, FL Tuesday, February 3, 2015 Dear Janie and family,Ted called last night to tell us about Willie! We are so sorry! Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Haven't seen you for a long time but I do remember the good times we had together so many years ago.
All our sympathy to you and yours.
Love,
Wendi and John Mowrey
Daniel and Margery Verbeck
Holdrege, NE Monday, February 2, 2015 May God's love surround you with comfort, peace and joy in His promise of Eternal Life!Thinking of you and your family with our love.
Teresa Brohimer
Lincoln, NE Sunday, February 1, 2015 My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I will miss Willie's stories and "jabbing". I hope all the wonderful memories you have will help you get through this difficult time. May God bless you all.Marlene Heywood Mellies
Rockford, IL Saturday, January 31, 2015 Janice, am so sorry to learn about Willy. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your family. I know he left many wonderful memories to help you in the coming days.Nancy Heller
Lincoln, NE Saturday, January 31, 2015 Janie and family, I am so sorry to hear about Willie's death. Willie and your family have been a blessing to my family and so many others. I pray our Great God will give you an abundance of His comfort and peace now and in the days ahead.Dennis Low
Duncannon, PA Saturday, January 31, 2015 Our prayers are with you at this time of sorrow. May you receive strength and peace through God and in the knowledge that Willis will be remembered by friends and family for all the good he accomplished in his life. Through this he will live in the hearts, minds, and souls of all he touched.God bells.
Josh & Shiloh Ladd
Fremont, NE Friday, January 30, 2015 Willis and his wife were calf donors to me my last year at the Masonic Home. I've continued to see them since then and we'd talk about the good ole days of 4-H. I will be forever grateful to them both for that gift which helped aid in changing my life. God Bless you Janice! And The Lord be with you Willis in heaven!Larry & Sue Dedic
Pleasant Dale, NE Friday, January 30, 2015 Janny and family,So sorry for your loss..... Willis' smile and laughter were his trademark... Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers!
Larry and Sue
Larry & Penny Brink
Fremont, NE Friday, January 30, 2015 We'll always fondly remember Willy and his stories. He was a sincerely kind man who enjoyed making people happy. Please know your whole family is in our thoughts and prayers. His presence in this world was a gift to all of us.Melissa Nickens Harris
Omaha, NE Friday, January 30, 2015 My thoughts are with you Nancy. Have so many fond memories of you in High School. Your Dad will be forever etched in your heart. God's Blessings to the entire family.Greg and Kim Berger
Omaha, NE Friday, January 30, 2015 May God wrap you all in His love, peace and comfort.Josh Marreel
Huntsville, TX Thursday, January 29, 2015 You are all in Miranda and my prayers down here in Texas. I will never forget Willie, his sometimes inappropriate jokes in church, and the last time I talked to him. He was a very special man.Wish we could be there this weekend and Monday. Just know we are thinking of y'all.
Connie
Oakland, NE Thursday, January 29, 2015 Ron, Nancy, and familiesJust ran into Steph at school. Thoughts and prayers are going out to you at this difficult time.
Steve & Connie Rokusek
Stephanie & Courtnie