Dale Hopkins

Dale Hopkins, 82, of Boise, ID passed away on March 9, 2018 in his home surrounded by loved ones. Dale was born May 20, 1935 in Logan, UT to Edgar Lester and Grace Allen Hopkins. At the age of nine, he and his family moved to Boise. Dale grew up in Boise and graduated from Boise High School in 1953 and a year later married his high school sweetheart and girl of his dreams, Maryann Terwilleger.
Dale had a great love for life and the beautiful Idaho outdoors. Together with Maryann and his four children, Dale found regular opportunities to ski, hike, camp, boat, and explore the Northwest. He appreciated the wonders of God’s creations and brought those he loved along with him. During Boise’s long summer days, Dale often woke his family early so that they might be on the lake just as the sun rose. His children share sweet memories skiing behind the boat Dale and his brothers had built as they cut through the cool glassy Idaho waters. Dale had a zest for life that rubbed off on all that surrounded him.
Flying was another love. Dale earned his pilot’s license in 1977 and enjoyed soaring across the Idaho skies. He felt freedom and exhilaration when flying but after many years chose to leave his beloved hobby behind after a couple of life-threatening experiences – One of many examples of how Dale placed life with family and service above things he enjoyed. His greatest joy was his family and serving others, including fellow members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Service was a hallmark of Dale’s life. He was tireless in his efforts to help and support others in need around him. Dale’s love for his Savior Jesus Christ and His gospel spilled over into all his everyday interactions with those lucky enough to be around him. He found great joy in serving others, rain or shine. Fixing, cleaning, helping, supporting, he spent his life in giving time and energy to ease the burdens of others. Even as his years advanced and into his later 70’s, Dale could be found trimming neighborhood trees, mowing other’s lawns, cleaning a bee’s nest out of a widow’s chimney, removing snow throughout his neighborhood, and whatever else he could find to help. He was thorough in his service and even more thorough in his devotion to the Savior. He served in many responsibilities as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During his lifetime, he served five missions for the Church, the last two were with Maryann–in Tulsa, OK and in Yerevan, Armenia. Dale absolutely loved serving in the Boise Idaho LDS Temple, where his testimony deepened and his love for the Lord and His work increased.
His greatest joy in this life came from being with and serving his family. Family vacations were a must and often impromptu. Together they crisscrossed the country more than once and explored the rugged beauties of Canada and even the jungle-strewn ruins of Mexico. He and Maryann enjoyed a handful of trips to faraway places that enriched their understanding of the surrounding world. Always full of fun and surprises, Dale took the family on a planned vacation to Mexico that turned into a short 5-minute visit. His travel plans in Mexico were cut short when Dale accidentally ran a red light in front of a police officer and decided they should return stateside as soon as possible.
Dale and Maryann’s relationship was and is a blessing to their children. Together they demonstrated how to develop and strengthen bonds of love that lasted a lifetime and will endure through the eternities. They served each other, were deeply respectful of one another’s needs, and were patient even in difficult moments. They illustrate how love and humor can soften the edges of life’s daily challenges. In the final days of his life, he was quick to find moments of unexpected humor and affirmed his expression of love and care for his family.
Dale was preceded in death by his father and mother and 9 of his brothers and sisters. He is survived by 1 brother Terry Hopkins, his wife Maryann Hopkins, daughter Lori Kaye Faler (Von), sons Richard Fred (Jayne), Randall Dale (Donna) and daughter Kelli Ann Ellsworth (Jason). He and Maryann have 18 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at the DeMeyer Park LDS Chapel, 6032 N. Five Mile Rd., Boise. A viewing will held Monday, March 12, 6-7:30 p.m., at Relyea Funeral Chapel, 318 N. Latah St., Boise, and at the church Tuesday from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow the service at Dry Creek Cemetery in Boise.