Jane Rae Hoppe

Jane Rae Hoppe, age 89, of Rhinelander, died on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital.

She was born on October 16, 1934, in Milwaukee, to Raymond and Helen (Gardinier) Helgert. She was the youngest child of two other siblings, Nancy Luedke and Mary Ladue.

Jane worked at Schlitz Brewing Company in Milwaukee. Once moving to Rhinelander, Jane was well known for her career as a realtor.

In 1959, she married William Ervin Hoppe of Park Falls, and together they had two sons, Kurt and Michael. Bill and Jane built their house on Crescent Lake in Rhinelander, and opened up their own cabin rental business Hoppe’s Haven. Jane worked tirelessly to take care of her home and her family, and as a result of that dedication, they created a little slice of paradise that will remain for generations to come.

Jane was a woman of many talents and hobbies. She was endlessly creative. She loved to sew and quilt, even though it frustrated her to no end. She worked in her garden all summer, always had a book or two to read, dabbled in painting, and enjoyed cross-country skiing. She was an active and involved member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She cooked every meal for her family and was a wonderful baker. Her grandkids vividly remember getting to lick the beaters and were always warned to avoid getting their fingers caught in them.

Jane was also a world traveler and never shied away from adventure. She and her husband spent years going on trips exploring unfamiliar and exotic places. Destinations included Ireland, Africa, China, Scandinavia, Spain, Egypt, Greece and Turkey. They always returned with enough pictures to fill photo albums, souvenirs to hang on her wall collection, and stories to share with family and friends.

Jane was independent, stubborn, and determined. She loved to golf; after a bad day on the links, she would come home and claim she would never golf again, but she always did. Jane loved her birds; rain or shine she made sure that the feeders were always full, even when she was in a constant battle with the squirrels. She still drove herself to bridge with the girls every week and went on daily walks with her dog, Sven. She loved her Labradors and was never without one.

Amongst her feistier personality traits, were her humor and love of laughter and fun. She always made up songs and cracked jokes. She threw Halloween costume parties for her friends, spoiled her grandchildren on Christmas Eves, booked skiing vacations every winter for her family, and bet on the Packers games.

Jane is survived by her two children Kurt (Deborah) Hoppe and Mike (Kelly) Hoppe, her three grandchildren Ron Hoppe, Kaitlyn (Chris) Coniglio, and Samantha (Ted) Stieber, her great-grandchild Camden Coniglio, and her sister Mary Ladue. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, William, her parents, her sister Nancy, and her grandson, Brad W. Hoppe.

There will be a visitation for Jane on Friday, June 14, 2024, from 10 a.m. to  noon with a Mass of Christian Burial following at noon, all at the Nativity of our Lord Catholic Church in Rhinelander. Father Chris Kemp will be officiating. Interment will follow in the Northwoods National Cemetery in Harshaw. 

In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being established in Jane's name and any contributions may be directed to her family.

You may leave your private condolences for the Hoppe family at www.carlsonfh.com. The Carlson Funeral Home (715-369-1414) is serving the Hoppe family.