Obituary of Ken Hoopman

Born on July 31, 1943 in Bottineau, North Dakota and died on June 10, 2021 in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. 

Ken grew up in Dunseith, North Dakota; he was raised on a farm and was no stranger to chores. His daily
chores included milking, feeding pigs, calves, chickens, and horses, with summer work including, haying,
hauling bales, and field work. When not working around the farm, his personal time consisted of
horseback riding with friends, hunting, and swimming in the pond. His adolescent years were filled with
driving his cars, attending local dances, and hanging out with friends.
His earlier work career started at San Haven, followed by the opportunity to move to Seattle to work on
a roofing crew. From Seattle he and his brother Don adventured to Anchorage Alaska to enjoy the
beautiful sites and sounds that the state offered. Returning back to North Dakota he started a lifelong
career in the siding industry in Bismarck, North Dakota. Ken’s last adventure was to the state of
Minnesota, where he worked as a siding applicator and carpenter for the next 55 plus years.
Minnesota changed Ken’s life. While working in Minnesota he met and married Jean Jensen in 1967,
where they raised their two children, Becky and Todd. Later in life, Jean and Ken were blessed with their
one and only grandchild, Joshua. His life was full of rewards and accomplishments, including building a
home for his family, which he frequently updated and remodeled. Ken built his home in 1978, where he
continued to live for 43 years, until his passing.
When a fire destroyed his parents’ home, Ken and his brothers took on the task of building the parents
a new home, as well as helping his brother build his home. For almost 50 years, Ken remodeled
numerous homes for his friends, family, and customers. Ken was fortunate enough to have worked with
his son, off and on, for over 25 years. He stated that he was proud and blessed to have had the
opportunity to work with all 6 of his brothers throughout his life, along with his son Todd, and nephew
Justin. Ken officially retired at the age of 65. Retirement didn’t slow Ken down, he continued to work on
multiple projects, while working part-time for his previous employer. He was widely acknowledged as a
master of his craft.
Ken loved fishing up North in the Iron range with his wife and father-in Law. He frequently visited his
family farm to enjoy the pleasures of horseback riding, and hunting with his brothers. Ken loved
snowmobiling with his son Todd, and camping with his family. For many years Jean and Ken travelled, on
route 66, west coast, California, cruises, a houseboat trip with their daughter and family. Ken and Jean
relished fall trips to Michigan, North MN, and Wisconsin. One trip that Ken and Jean really enjoyed were
their trips to Las Vegas. It was rumored that during their first trip to Vegas they came back with a great
incentive to return back to Las Vegas, which they did many times.
Ken’s greatest love and joy was his children, Becky and Perry, Todd and LaDonna (Dee), his wife Jean
and the pride of his life, his grandson, Joshua, along with all his immediate and extended family. Ken
said that he was so blessed to have such a wonderful family that he was so proud of. He was preceded in death by Parents, Chris and Myrtle; Brothers, Wesley, Donald and Chris, Jr. and Sister, LaDonna. He is survived by  Wife of 53 years, Jean; Daughter, Becky (Perry) Coyle and Son, Todd (LaDonna) Hoopman; Grandson, Joshua Coyle; Brothers, Ronald (Jill), Gary (Mary) and Garrett (Deb); Sister, Meryle Vinje (Allan); Many Nieces, Nephews, Relatives and Friends.