Barbara Annette Hopkins

It is with great sadness that the family of Barbara Annette Hopkins (formerly Bernsteen, née Grant) announces her peaceful passing on June 13, 2025 in Eau Claire, at the age of 89. Her sudden departure came as a shock to us, but God, in His infinite wisdom, called her home.

Barbara was born on May 13, 1936, in Rhinelander, to Vernon and Ivy (Olson) Grant. She grew up on Thayer Street, where the neighborhood kids proudly called themselves the “North-Siders.”

Barbara attended McCord School and graduated from Rhinelander High School in 1954.

Barbara married Lee Bernsteen in 1957. Together, they raised their five children on Lake Creek Road in the township of Pine Lake, near Rhinelander. The family enjoyed life at their lakefront home — spending time together and making the most of the great outdoors. During this time, Barbara began working as a medical transcriptionist at St. Mary’s Hospital.

In 1986, Barbara married Gary Hopkins. The couple lived in Milwaukee, where Barbara continued her career as a medical transcriptionist at St. Luke’s Hospital. After returning to Rhinelander in 1995, they enjoyed time at their cabin, four-wheeling, wintering in Florida, and traveling the country to visit their children. Barbara loved get-togethers with family and friends, and playing cards and board games with her grandchildren. She especially enjoyed enlisting her grandchildren’s help to “pick up sticks” around her home and cabin.

She was great company and always knew how to have a good time, often through entertaining stories from her own life. Now and then, a surprising truth would slip out, sparking laughter and memories that live on. She enjoyed being the center of attention — a role she fully earned and truly deserved. For many years, Barbara was in her element hosting social gatherings of friends at her home playing her all-time favorite game of Mahjong. Several tables of women playing for hours on end was not uncommon.

Barbara had many artistic talents, including knitting and crocheting. She kept busy with crafts — macramé, decoupage, scrapbooking, card making, and painting and passed many of these skills on to her children and grandchildren. 

Among the many accomplishments of Barbara’s life, her mastery of the piano was extraordinary — she was, without question, an exceptional pianist. Encouraged by her parents, Barbara began piano lessons at age eight and added pipe organ studies at 15. By 16, she had developed a lifelong love for generously sharing her musical talents. She accompanied soloists and the mixed chorus at her high school, performed on a local radio talent show, and played many years for the Rhinelander’s public school Stunt Night. She served as pianist and organist for the Methodist, Trinity, and Immanuel Lutheran Churches in Rhinelander, accompanied the Rhinelander Male Chorus, and played at countless weddings and funerals. As a family, we feel truly fortunate and grateful to have had such a gifted person bring music and joy to our festivities whenever a piano was near. Though the live performances have come to an end, we are comforted by the recordings that remain.

Barbara is survived by her five children, Loralee Bernsteen, Lex (Anette) Bernsteen, Lynda Bernsteen, Lisbeth Fritz (née Bernsteen), Leanna (Wayne) Kircher, 14 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, her sister Judy (Mick) Phillips, sister-in-law Carol Grant, stepchildren Gary (Sarah) Hopkins and Phil (Corinne) Hopkins, and five step-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Gary, her parents, brothers Gary and Vernon “Budge”, and a great-granddaughter.

Visitation for Barbara will be held on Thursday, June 26, from 9 to 11 a.m.with memorial services following at 11 a.m., all at the Carlson Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Forest Home Cemetery. You may leave your private condolences for the family at www.carlsonfh.com. The Carlson Funeral Home, 715-369-1414, is serving Barbara’s family.