Hugs, Amy. So sorry for your loss ... wishing you comfort and peace as you grieve.
John & Esther Willms,
November 26, 2021
It has been so good to read of others' tributes and kind words about my Uncle Hoppy and their condolences and love sent out to Amy and her family, as well as ours! Thank you. I had shared my personal tributes to Uncle Hoppy while he was in his last months here with us, but now feel prompted to share with others.
Uncle Hoppy was, for his nieces and nephews our own "Singing Cowboy Uncle"! How we enjoyed listening to his country western songs, his famous yodeling (especially beautiful in the mountains!), his looking after his cattle and horses, (watching him feed, water, and immunize them), enjoying a couple of rodeos (Lethbridge and later - the last one here at the Manitoba Stampede. His father was able to attend this stampede and see him for the last time yet before HE passed away. Uncle Hoppy brought his 3 oldest nieces (Sherry, Monica, and I) into the back scenes of a rodeo in Lethbridge - where we were able to be up close and personal with the calves that he was going to rope or the steers he was going to wrestle!
I remember the Coaldale Homecoming which Uncle Hoppy, Uncle Eddy, and my mom Irmie and some of their families all attended. We attended a variety of events; pancake breakfasts and parade included. Before the parade, the younger nieces and nephew were instructed how to clean and polish his leather wear (saddle for example) before they then were given opportunity to ride the horse in the parade - Linda remembered "Cassidy" - I only remember "Smokey" and "Billy", which I am sure my sister Margaret and her family also enjoyed riding when they visited Uncle Hoppy. When Uncle Hoppy moved right onto his land just outside the town boundary (and right beside the irrigation ditch where he and his siblings (my mom included) went swimming, we weren't surprised! He was just where he needed to be - among his beloved horses, dogs, and his work with the cattle he so enjoyed! He lived simply, but was so very rich in so many other ways - especially his faith in the Lord and later his loving relationship with Amy. The family was so very happy for both of them - we know our Grandparents would have been so pleased with the new daughter-in-law they were never able to meet.
Uncle Hoppy's last time here with all of his Winnipeger relatives was for my mom's funeral. We were so grateful that he and Amy were able to come, even though it was difficult for them both at the time - with his ailing health! We were glad that we were able to make several visits out to Coaldale/Lethbridge to see them both yet and even though Uncle Hoppy wasn't serenading us anymore, it was my pleasure to sing and play now for my uncle, and for us all to share happy memories of the past with him!
Thanks to technology, we were able to connect with Uncle Hoppy via facetime during this past year and now were able to "be there" with you all via "live stream" during Uncle Hoppy's graveside service. We are thankful for his life here with us for the 83 years he was given. We are thankful that he is home now with our Lord in heaven and for the love he gave us while here. Also, thanks to the music cassete/CD he put together, we can always enjoy hearing Uncle Hoppy's favourite songs and reminisce!
Dorothee Friesen,
October 30, 2021
My condolences to Amy and the Family. I knewHoppy years ago when he was still roping. Good guy.
Victor Janz,
October 26, 2021
Thinking of you, Amy. We will miss Hoppy.
Trish & Pete Smillie,
October 25, 2021
Thinking of you, Amy. We will miss Hoppy.
Trish & Pete Smillie,
October 25, 2021
Hoppy was the sixth & last child of Olga & William Unger. Two of his older siblings died in infancy and are buried in the Coaldale cemetery.
Our parents named him Helmut William. Helmut, in German, means 'bright courage'. He came to be known by the name, Hoppy, over time. At first, the family just called him Helly. Then as he got more active, but still couldn't walk, he would stand in his crib, hold onto the railing, and jump up & down, We started to call him Helly Hops, and from there it morphed into Hoppy. That is how everyone knew him from then on!
When we were young, TV wasn't around yet, so we spent a lot of time outdoors. We liked going to the river, roaming around its hills and coulees. One very memorable trip, Hoppy & I rode our horses to the Old Man River. It was November the 30th, I believe in 1956. A warm chinook was blowing and we spent the night under the stars. We didn't have sleeping bags or groundsheets, so we piled up a lot of leaves and covered ourselves with wool blankets. The next day some of our friends drove out by car to join us. We all roamed around until the middle of the afternoon when the wind turned and blew from the north. It got very cold, very fast. Hoppy & I got on our horses and rode the 13 miles home with snow flying around us. We arrived home cold, but I still have the warm memories. I'm grateful that my son, Rick, & I were able to travel to Alberta to visit Hoppy, one last time, in September of 2020. We could see how much Hoppy and Amy meant to each other.
Eddy Unger,
October 25, 2021
deepest sympathy
Ron & Kathy Gschaid,
October 25, 2021
Dear Amy...sending our heartfelt condolences to you during this difficult time. May you know we are thinking of you. We keep this verse in our thoughts and prayers...I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
April, Dirk, Sydney & Kennedy Scholten,
October 25, 2021
Our deepest condolences to you, Amy, and your family at this time. Your beloved Hoppy, is finally home with his Lord and Saviour. How we enjoyed visiting with both of you. You brought him much joy. May you be comforted- knowing you will meet again!
Harold & Bernice Reimer,
October 25, 2021
Amy, on behalf of your sisters, your brother in laws, nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, we are sending our heartfelt sympathies to you and your family on Hoppy's passing. Know that we are thinking of you and are sorry you lost someone you loved so dearly. Love, Marlene
Marlene McCaughey,
October 25, 2021
Dear Amy,
I am thinking of you and your family as you navigate through this loss. Lifting you in prayer and sending compassion.
Love, Diana
Diana Sim,
October 24, 2021
My condolences to Amy and the Family. I knewHoppy years ago when he was still roping. Good guy.
Victor Janz,
October 24, 2021
We were saddened to learn of Hoppy's passing. Sending our condolences and thinking of you and your family at this time.
Luanne & Allan McCray,
October 24, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers Amy on the loss of Hoppy. Hoppy was such a lucky man to have shared his life with you with so much love. Hoppy will be missed. Hugs
John, Lenore & Brittany Beyer,
October 24, 2021
I spent many happy times in Coaldale AB, as a child. He let me ride his horses, Cassidy along the dike. He was a good man, even when he felt conflicted with his childhood. When we went out on drives to Irrigate for other farmers land, he would play his country music. Yes he did yell, explaining how his life was hard. I was introduced to Jim Reeves. I still love Reeves to this day. I hope my Uncle is resting in peace now, as it should be. Sorry Hoppy, you rest in peace. Rest Cowboy. Much Love, even though we lost touch.
Linda Joba, nee Schroeder,
October 24, 2021
I spent many happy times in Coaldale AB, as a child. He let me ride his horses, Cassidy along the dike. He was a good man, even when he felt conflicted with his childhood. When we went out on drives to Irrigate for other farmers land, he would play his country music. Yes he did yell, explaining how his life was hard. I was introduced to Jim Reeves. I still love Reeves to this day. I hope my Uncle is resting in peace now, as it should be. Sorry Hoppy, you rest in peace. Rest Cowboy. Much Love, even though we lost touch.
Linda Joba, nee Schroeder,
October 24, 2021
We were saddened to learn of Hoppy's passing. Sending our condolences and thinking of you and your family at this time.
Luanne & Allan McCray,
October 24, 2021
Amy, so sorry to hear of Hoppy's passing. Deepest sympathies from our family.
Dianne,
October 23, 2021
We were saddened to learn of Hoppy's passing. Sending our condolences and thinking of you and your family at this time.
Luanne & Allan McCray,
October 23, 2021
Hoppy was a great man friend to our family and best ridding buddy with John ; they spent many hours together he will be dearly missed; but know he's in the lords house now; RIP !
John & Linda Buhler,
October 23, 2021
We are saddened to hear of Hoppy's passing. We are thinking of you, and sending our sympathies and sorrow for your loss.
Luanne & Allan McCray,
October 23, 2021
We are saddened to hear of Hoppy's passing. We are thinking of you, and sending our sympathies and sorrow for your loss.
Luanne & Allan McCray,
October 23, 2021
Aunt Amy and family - I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending my condolences and many hugs to you at this time of loss. ?
Stefanie
Stefanie Riehle,
October 23, 2021
so sorry for your loss Amy,the Lord of comfort is with you always
barb lengyyel,
October 22, 2021
Dear Amy, Family and Friends,
I do not have many memories of Hoppy until He became your husband, Amy. The joy he brought to your life is my most important memory. To all who love him, may the Lord he loves and in whose presence he lives comfort and encourage you to trust in Him.
Alma Siemens,
October 22, 2021
My condolences Amy. I have many fond memories of Hoppy. Spent many hours as a kid helping feed and run cattle. He was a kind gentle soul with a heart of gold. Always there to lend an ear. May the Lord draw you near in your time of grieving.
Cornie Krahn,
October 22, 2021
Amy, you're in our thoughts and prayers. With love from, Bob & Elvina.
Bob & Elvina Parker,
October 22, 2021
I have such wonderful memories of Uncle Hoppy which included rodeos, buckets of KFC and watermelons. He was a good man, always willing to help anyone who needed it. This world was definitely a better place with him in it and he will be missed.
Sherry Brown (Desjarlais),
October 22, 2021
I have such wonderful memories of Uncle Hoppy which included rodeos, buckets of KFC and watermelons. He was a good man, always willing to help anyone who needed it. This world was definitely a better place with him in it and he will be missed.
Sherry Brown (Desjarlais),
October 22, 2021
To Amy and Families..
Sending Love and Prayers to Your Loss..
Heaven Will Be a Busling Place Today as Hoppy and My Uncle Will Be Having Alot of Happier Days Catching Up on Old Times...
May God Give You His Peace and Comfort During This Difficult..
Love,
Shirley...
Shirley Bulva,
October 22, 2021
Hugs, Amy. So sorry for your loss ... wishing you comfort and peace as you grieve.
John & Esther Willms,
October 22, 2021
Treasure the memories, Amy. I'm thinking of you.
Dawn,
October 21, 2021
