Jean Hopper

ALMA JEAN HOPPER, 74, of Sioux Center, Iowa died Friday, 5/27, at her residence after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, 5/31, at 10:30am in the sanctuary of First Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Roger Voskuil officiating. Interment will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

Visitation will be held Monday, 5/30, from 2pm to 8pm, with the family present from 6pm to 8pm at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.


Alma Jean Hopper was the daughter of Bert and Catherine Marie "Tena" (Hoogschagen) Kroon. She was born on October 26, 1930 and raised on a farm west of Perkins Corner. She graduated from Hull High School in 1949 and then attended the University of Iowa for two years while studying nursing.

Jean was married to Robert Schouten on January 20, 1955 and resided in Sioux Center, Iowa. Together they had five children. They were divorced in 1977, but remained close friends throughout her life. During this time, Jean devoted herself to raising her children and diligently worked to help others find employment while serving as a branch manager for Job Service of Iowa.

She later met Elmer Hopper and on June 7, 1984 they were married in Sedalia, Missouri. For 5 years Jean and "Hopper" traveled the Midwest as Relief Managers for Motel 6, which she greatly enjoyed until their retirement in Sioux Center.

Jean was a member of the First Reformed Church and received much satisfaction from her volunteer work with the hospital, Kinsey Elementary library and various cancer related organizations and committees.

Jean will especially be remembered for her compassionate and empathetic nature, her shining brown eyes and her overall optimism and zest for life. Jean had an extraordinary gift of sending uplifting cards to those in need of a kind word, a special prayer and unconditional encouragement.

Jean will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by her husband of 21 years, "Hopper"; three daughters: Deb Vander Weide and her husband Larry, Sally Koel and her husband Dick, Kathy Rozeboom and her husband, Vern all of Sioux Center; two sons: David Schouten and his wife, Sue of Alton and Paul Schouten of Chicago, Illinois; four step-children; Kathy Swanson and her husband, Gene of Valley Springs, South Dakota, Mark Hopper of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Marlon Hopper and his wife, Mary Jo of Houston, Texas, and Kim Gotmore and her husband, Paul of Springbrook, Wisconsin; 39 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Alvin Leo Kroon and a granddaughter, Tara Renae Vander Weide.