BRANDON — Kathleen (Kathy) Hopperstad, age 71, passed away peacefully on August 26, 2022, following a short illness, surrounded by her loving family.
Kathy was born on May 12, 1951, in Rockville Center, NY. She grew up in North Bellmore, NY, and graduated from Calhoun High School in the Merrick L.I. class of 1969.
She was previously married to Joseph Combes on September 25, 1971. After four years of marriage, they had their first daughter, Michele. They moved to Vermont a few years later and had their daughter Christine.
Many people came to know and love Kathy as a talented hairdresser in the Brandon area. She also worked at Neshobe Elementary School as a teacher’s aide. She was adored by all the students and staff she met along the way.
Kathy met Elden Hopperstad in 2000 and married on April 13, 2002, in Bennington.
Kathy loved her four puppies like they were her children. In September 2018, Kathy, Elden, and their four fur babies moved to Chase City, Va., where she lived until her passing.
Kathy loved her family more than anything. She also loved cooking, gardening, playing cards, family get-togethers, and fishing on their pontoon boat, where she would catch Blue Claw Crabs. She had a very caring heart and would light up any room with her smile and laugh.
She is survived by her husband, Elden; her sister, Barbara Blanco of Claverack, NY; her sister, Debra Jennings (Kevin) of Brandon; her daughters, Michele Devino (Karl) of Proctor and Christine Combes (John) of Brandon; her stepson, Joel Hopperstad of Rutland; her three grandsons, Justyn Suarez and Joseph Bertrand, both of Brandon, and Zach Hopperstad of Wallingford, CT.
Her niece, Allison Devino (Shawn) of Brandon; nephews, Dan Jennings (Brittni) of Leicester; great-niece, Jadyn Devino, and great nephew, Carson Devino, both of Brandon and several cousins also survive her.
She was predeceased by her parents, Louis and Marie Jacobs of Brandon; her former husband, Joseph Combes of NC, and her two stepsons, Christopher Hopperstad of Rutland and Thomas Hopperstad of Wallingford, Ct.
The funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 3, 2022, at 2 PM, at the Brandon Congregational Church, and a graveside committal service and burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon on Friday, September 2, 2022, from 5-9 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in her memory to gofund.com Kathy Hopperstad or the Rutland County Humane Society, 765 Stevens Road, Pittsford, Vt., 05763.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon.
