Alfred Dale Rudolph Hopp 1939 - 2025

HOPP, ZWANZIGER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 2/22/2025 at 01:16:55

Sioux City Journal
25 January 2025

Alfred Dale Rudolph Hopp

January 13, 2025

Alfred Dale Rudolph Hopp, 85, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away January 13, 2025 at home of a progressive lung disease. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Zion Lutheran Church, 4300 Beaver Ave, Des Moines, Iowa.

Al was born November 6, 1939, in Moville, IA, to Rudolph and Gertrude Hopp. He graduated from Moville High School and earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University in 1964. As a student, Al helped design University Lutheran's new chapel, and he and Mary Ann Zwanziger were the first couple married in it on June 6, 1964. Al served honorably in the Iowa National Guard for 6 years, completing his service in 1965. He spent the majority of his career as an HVAC Engineer for Brooks Borg Skiles. He also served as Property Manager for Zion Lutheran Church for many years.

Faith and family were Al's highest priorities. He enjoyed spending time outdoors; camping, canoeing, fishing, biking, and hiking with his family. He loved to explore and learn new things and visited all 50 states with Mary Ann. Al loved tinkering and building, and was especially proud of the kitchen addition he designed and built for his home. He volunteered countless hours teaching classes and pitching in on improvement projects at Zion, of which a favorite was helping create trails through the woods where people could enjoy the Creator and His creation. He considered himself a child of the Depression and was very frugal, finding ways to reuse and repurpose many things, yet his quiet generosity showed itself often.

Al is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Ann; son, Eric Hopp (fiancé Connie Torrance); daughter, Heidi Marting (Trent); grandchildren, Caleb Marting and Abigail Marting, and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Harold and Robert Hopp; sister, Esther Hoeck; parents-in-law, Ray and Ruth Zwanziger, and brother-in-law, Harlan Hoeck.

The family would like to thank Suncrest Hospice and Home Instead for their gentle care and attention to Al and his family, which allowed him to fulfill his dream of living out his days at home. Al's final act of generosity was donating his body to Des Moines University.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Zion Lutheran Church in Des Moines or to any local, state, or national park dedicated to preserving the beauty of God's creation for the enjoyment of others.

Condolences can be left at www.IlesCares.com.

Arrangements by Iles Westover Chapel, 6337 Hickman Road, Des Moines, Iowa.