Harold W. Hopp

Harold Wesley Hopp, 89, of Mason City died on Sunday, May 10, 2020 at Good Shepherd Health Center. Services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the family of Harold Hopp. Harold’s family would like to thank the staff at Good Shepherd Health Center for their loving care over the past 2 years.

Harold was the son of Henry and Emma (Bush) Hopp, born July 29, 1930 in Moville, Iowa. After graduating from high school he worked in his home town until he enlisted in the Navy in August, 1950. He served aboard the USS Theodore E. Chandler as a radar specialist during the Korean War. After his discharge in August 1954 Harold attended Iowa State Teachers College on the GI Bill. It was there that he met fellow student Joyce Smith. They were married in Cedar Falls in 1958. Harold taught American history and later was a guidance counselor at Roosevelt Middle School. After 33 years of teaching, he retired in 1992.

Harold was passionate about political activism, volunteering, and writing, penning nearly 200 letters to the editor. He was proud of his continued service to his country by the 25 years and nearly 10,000 hours spent volunteering for the Veterans Clinic in Mason City. He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, Southern Poverty Law Center, Veteran’s Against the Iraq War, National Education Association, Kappa Delta Pi, and the Iowa State Teacher’s Association.

Left to cherish his legacy are daughters Brenda(Doug) Arjes of Kansas City, MO, Mona(Doug) Follmann, Stanhope, IA and Dana(Wade) Torkelson, Forest City, IA; grandchildren Sam(Fiona) Arjes, and Michael Arjes, Kansas City, MO, Andrew(Kylie) Follmann, Ankeny, IA, Nicole Follmann, New York, NY and Ethan Torkelson, Forest City, IA; great-grandchildren Huxley Arjes, Mikayla Arjes and Quincy Follmann; sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Joyce.