Our mom, Carleen Faye (Winters) Hopkins, passed gently into that good night on March 2 3, 2026. She was preceded in death by our dad, Duane F. Hopkins, and her sweet grandson, Robert Fairley Deuchler.

She left behind her five daughters Peg Hopkins, Susan Hopkins, Teri Barros (Rob), Ev Hopkins (Len), and Heather Berndt (Dave) as well as a gaggle of 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren that she loved dearly and who dearly loved her.

Mom grew up in Emerson, Iowa, and married our dad in 1952. They immediately left for Coeur d’Alene, Idaho where Dad grew up. Quite a change for her, but she was up for what was in store including living in California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho, and bringing five girls into this world. (Dad said the next five would be boys, but mom nipped that in the bud!). She went back to school in the 70’s and graduated with an education degree from Eastern State College (EWU) and then later obtained her Masters in Reading Education from Washington State University.

She was a devoted middle school teacher for most of her career, but also taught literacy to adults through a variety of programs. “To get them to love to read, let them read what they love” was her motto. She retired to do what she loved most - reading, quilting, knitting, crocheting and playing bridge. Mom was beautiful, extremely witty and smart. She was the queen of loving nicknames and they still ring in all our homes today. She left a legacy of independence and life-long learning in all us. She will be missed. Rest in peace, mama!

Our mom and dad will be remembered together in a family gathering up on the North Fork of the CDA river, where they spent many summers at the Magee Ranger Station, never forgetting to stop at the Snake Pit on the way home.