Kathy Hopping, 56, of Paxton, died July 22, 2012, in her home surrounded by her family and friends.
Katherine Lynn Hopping was born on Sept. 15, 1955, in Fort Collins, Colo., the daughter of Alvin “Curly” and Leora (Blake) Schieldt.
Kathy graduated from Poudre High School in Fort Collins, Colo., in 1974. While in high school she participated in musicals, band, orchestra, Impalaphonics Show Choir and All-State Chorus. She was also an accomplished oboe player who was awarded a music scholarship to attend the University of Northern Colorado. While there she became a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, an honorary music sorority and then received her degree in Music Education in 1978.
She moved to Lewellen to teach in 1979 and then on to Paxton in 1981. Her career as a music teacher spanned 27 years and also included time in Sutherland. The past five years Kathy was a legal assistant for McGinley, O’Donnell, Reynolds and Korth.
On Aug. 1, 1998, Kathy married Jim Hopping. Together they built a home where they loved to spend time.
Life was filled with music and the outdoors. Kathy loved being with family and friends especially at the lake and in the mountains. She played piano for the United Methodist Church in Paxton and accompanied students for competitions and performances. Kathy was also a member of the National Education Association.
Preceding her in death was her father, Alvin Schieldt; and her stepfather, Hal Klaus.
Survivors include her husband, Jim, of Paxton; her children, Kara (Zac) Brashears, and their daughter, Brooke, of Valentine, Gwen Stokey, of Omaha, and Nicholas Stokey, of Lincoln; her mother, Leora (Bill) Klaus-McBride, of Fort Collins, Colo.; two brothers, Wayne (Dawn) Schieldt, of Montrose, Colo., and Marvin (Alison) Schieldt, of Fishtail, Mont.; two stepsons, John McConnell, of Mexico, and Brennen Hopping, of Jacksonville, Wyo.; as well as nieces, nephews; and dear friends.
The family chose cremation. Services will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 28, at the Ogallala New Hope Worship Center on East “O” St. Kathy’s brother, Pastor Marvin Schieldt will officiate. A luncheon will follow at noon at the United Methodist Church, 310 N. Oak St. in Paxton. Online Condolences may be sent to drauckerfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the United Methodist Church, PO Box 335, Paxton, NE 69155.
Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.