Loretta Hopper

Valley resident Loretta Catherine (Frohlich) Hopper, 60, died at home March 6, 2008, in her bed doing what she loved best: having her family around her and watching television.

Hopper was a dedicated, hard-working single mother for most of her life. She was born Aug. 30, 1947 in Washington state. She was very family oriented and wanted her children to know where they came from.

Before medical problems made it impossible for Hopper to do much, she was a friendly, fun-loving, outgoing woman with a zest for life, generous beyond measure and loyal to the end. She loved to party and have a good time, and everyone was always invited to her house.

Her family said someone once said, “Lolo was a kind woman with a big heart and that she will leave a lasting impression on everyone.” This doesn’t seem to be an accurate enough description of her. Hopper helped so many in so many ways, and throughout her life she has been lovingly referred to as “Mom,” “Mother,” “Moomie,” “Lolo Sexy Lady,” “Tody” and “Grammy.” But to her four children she was not only their mom, but their dad as well.

Hopper was vibrant, protective, loyal and extremely stubborn, especially if she believed she was right, which was most of the time. She was a lifelong Alaskan who always ended up back in Alaska no matter where the wind took her. She loved to travel and her favorite places were Hawaii, Mexico and Las Vegas.

“To her children she was the wind beneath them that pushed them to be everything she thought she wasn’t, always pushing them to excel and succeed at everything they undertook, even if they didn’t want it,” her family wrote.

Hopper was a no-frills woman. She never needed or asked for much, and always put her four children first. She always seemed to make lemonade out of the lemons that came her way. She was mom to so many of her children’s friends who all called her “Mom.” She loved having the last word and in most cases did, but she also knew the best medicine was laughter. Happiness is what she truly desired, not only for herself, but also for her family.

Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren adored her, and she always had her candy jar full and ready for them when they came to visit. She was truly loved by more people than she ever realized and will be missed deeply.

Hopper was proceeded in death by her parents, Mary A. Scholten and Frank E. Frohlich; and sister Frankie Jean Frohlich-Belarde. She is survived by her sister Mary Ann Kelly of Anchorage; daughters Catherine L. Smith of Anchorage and Jolene M. Anderson of Wasilla; and sons Terry L. Vogel of Anchorage and Jack L. Vogel of Anchorage. She also leaves behind 11 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

Valley Funeral Homes and Crematory of Palmer and Wasilla assisted the family.