Gene Hoppe

Vernon Eugene Hoppe (Gene) of Woodway, went home to Heaven on Monday, July 21, 2025, at the age of 91. Funeral services will be Saturday, July 26, at 11:00 at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Crawford, with Pastor Ricky Richards officiating. Visitation with the family will be the hour prior to the service beginning at 10:00. Burial will immediately follow at St. Paul Lutheran Memorial Park. 

Gene was born on November 21, 1933, to the late Alfred and Anna (Sandhoff) Hoppe on the family farm in McLennan County, Texas. He graduated from Crawford High School in 1952. After graduating, he worked for the Santa Fe Railroad. He married his high school sweetheart, Nelda (Reich) Hoppe, on July 20, 1953, in Gulfport, Mississippi. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1957 during the Korean Conflict. During this time, he and Nelda lived in Clearwater, Florida; during his deployment, Nelda lived with family. After his return from overseas, Gene was stationed at March Air Force Base in Riverside, California. While there, their daughter, Beverly, was born. After his discharge, Gene and Nelda moved to Waco, Texas. Gene was employed by William Cameron for one year and then General Tire & Rubber Company for 28 years until retirement. He later worked for Scholastic Book Fairs for 13 years. 

During retirement, Gene enjoyed time with his family, was very involved in “Polka” dancing, and loved going to College Station to visit with his granddaughter and her family and attending Texas A&M Women’s Basketball games. He was a kind and loving husband, Daddy, and Poppy. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ray Hoppe and wife Faye; sister Ima Bekkelund and husband Gordon; sister Edna Gauer and husband Ervin; and sister Anna Lou Blum and husband Erwin.

Gene is survived by his wife of 72 years, Nelda; daughter Beverly Hoffmann of Crawford; granddaughter Robbie Birch and husband Erich;  great-grandchildren Kai and Erich Birch, all of College Station. He is also survived by sister-in-law Nancy Hoppe, and many nieces and nephews and their families.  

The family would like to send special thanks to the Lynridge Assisted Living staff and Gene’s Hospice nurse, Shannon, for the special love and care that they provided Gene and Nelda.