Marion Louise Hopkins (nee Rindal)

October 4, 1937 – March 28, 2023

On March 28, 2023, Marion Louise Hopkins passed away in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan at age 85.  She was comforted by her daughter Carol and with her husband, Stirling.

A service to celebrate her life will be held at 2:30PM, on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 1796 – 15th Avenue East, Prince Albert, SK. The service will be livestreamed and recorded.  Family and friends unable to attend the service may view the service on the Messiah Lutheran Church youtube website:  https://www.youtube.com/@messiahlutheranchurchprinc5457/streams

Marion was born in Kristiansand, Norway.  Her initial years were in occupied Norway.  In 1949, after WWII she immigrated to Canada with her father Ingvald and her step mom, Olive.  They settled in the pioneering community of Northern Light, SK.  The beginnings were humble. In Northern light she attended the one room schoolhouse where she learned English.  For Grade 12 Marion went to LCBI, in Outlook, SK.  At LCBI she met her future husband Stirling.  After high school she studied Nursing at the University of Saskatchewan and graduated in 1959.  Marion and Stirling were married in 1962 and made Prince Albert their permanent home in 1967.  They welcomed 4 children:  Derek, Brenton, Carol and Mark.

Marion was preceded by her father, mother, and stepmother.  She is survived by her husband, Stirling and their four children, 9 grandchildren, and one great grand child:  Derek (Lisa) and their children Jessica (Justin), Jordan, and Olivia; Brenton (Sharon) and their children Bennett (Miranda) and Josh; Carol and her children Danielle (Brandon) and Ryan; Mark (Colette) and their children Linnea and Torsten.  Marion has one great grandson, Thomas, and another great grandson due in May.

Marion embraced being Canadian and contributed with her Norwegian heritage.  English words could never fully capture meaning of Norwegian expressions like ‘Velkommen’, ‘Uff da’, ‘Snadder for the Glefs’, ‘Tusen takk’ and ‘Jeg elsker deg’ (I love you).  She had zest for life and people.  She greeted everyone with her smile and a twinkle in her bright blue eyes.  Yet, it was uncommon to get a picture of her with her eyes open.  She reveled in simple joys like street hockey or waterfights with grandkids.  She was a mentor and a faithful keeper of secrets.  She loved lefsa, gjetost, puppies, ice cream, red juice from concentrate, chocolate and hugs.  If you stopped at the house unexpectedly, it was not an inconvenience for her, rather, she would welcome you in.  This would soon be followed by enjoying fresh buns with jam, cheese, along with weak coffee.   She enjoyed going with Stirling to Raider games and being at the lake in the summer.  Volunteering that included Messiah Lutheran Church, Christian Women’s Club, and Meals on Wheels were important service for her.

Marion will be remembered for selfless devotion to family and the kindness in her soul.  She lived as if she loved the world and was out to create positive energy.  Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy.  She did not seek the limelight and she was happy with others being the center of attention. She loved innocent fun.  She was a peace maker who was humble, soft spoken, and an engaged listener.  She was quick to forgive.  Her humility and understated manner was camouflage of her determination to follow her principles and for the strength of her character.  The choice of Nursing as a career was appropriate.  She had genuine care for others and will be remembered for putting the well being of those around her ahead of her own.

Marion lived, loved, and was loved in return.  Her example in times of profound sadness, like this, would be to look to her faith for strength and then to carry on.  As the world lost a special spirit, who was our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother  – heaven gained an angel.  We will miss her until we meet again.

Family and friends may leave online condolences at https://grays.ca/tribute/details/2841/Marion-Hopkins/obituary.html#tribute-start

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Gray’s Funeral Chapel, (306) 922-4729, Paula Hanson.

• Date : 2023-03-28
• Location : Prince Albert, SK