Kareena S. Hopkins, 79, passed away peacefully Monday, November 20, 2017, at Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie.
She is survived by her children, William Hopkins and his wife Ginny; and Douglas Hopkins. She was preceded in death by her husband Leland N. Hopkins, who passed away in 2007, her parents, William F. “Mike” and Lodisa C. (Brown) Watson.
Born in Sunrise, WY, December 9, 1937, Kareena’s extended family worked in the town of Sunrise and in the Sunrise mines. An only child, Kareena graduated from Sunrise High School in 1955 and took college classes at the University of Wyoming and Colorado State College of Education at Greeley. She married Leland in Hartville, WY in 1958, and moved to Laramie in 1966.
Her many friends knew her for her concern for others and their well-being, her sense of humor, and a positive outlook on life that never failed her. She was a fierce fan of the Denver Broncos, the Colorado Rockies, and the University of Wyoming’s Cowboy football team. At home she was an avid cook, who enjoyed many television cooking shows, as well as reading, and visiting with friends and family with whom she would reminisce about her life.
The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Meredith & Jeannie Ray Cancer Center, Ivinson Memorial Hospital, 255 North 30th Street, Laramie, WY 82072.
Kareena was making plans for her 80th birthday, and a memorial will take place on her birthdate, December 9, 2017 11am at Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home in Laramie, followed by a reception celebrating her life.
Dear Bill and Doug, We are so sorry for the loss of your mother. As a family, we will always have fond memories of her. What a wonderful neighborhood mom she was to all us kids, and a great friend to my mom, Edie. Kareena and Leland were there for our family through tragedy and joy. She will be remembered fondly. May God bless and help you through this loss. Sincerely, Suzy (Henderson) and Dan Vetter Edie Henderson Larry Henderson
I first met Kareena when she was working at the Senior Center. She would always order for lunch and more often than not I would bring it to her. She always had a smile for me and we would chat for a few minutes. Over the years I had the pleasure of seeing her from time to time. She was always upbeat and I was always happy to see her. On our last visit, she mentioned her birthday coming up and we talked about how our birthday's were only a few days apart and that must be why we got along so well. Our thoughts and prayers to her family and friends.
So sorry to hear of Kareena's passing, she was a wonderful sweet lady who will be greatly missed.
Sandy Adams Leland was the first person I met when I moved to Laramie, and returned my rental truck to his place of business in 1975. Later when I was a supervisor in Accounts Receivable at UW, I hired Kareena, and we laughed about the coincidence. Kareena was an absolute joy in every aspect of her life. Always happy and cheerful. Through her I met her mother Lodisa, and they engaged in absolutely fascinating stories of Hartville and Sunrise. Kareena 's interactions with students was the "gold standard." In general when they needed to interact with Accounts Receivable, it was due to financial duress. Kareena's ability to calm and soothe anyone and everyone was admired by all who knew her. She never met a stranger. Through family illnesses and competing job demands Kareena viewed every day to be a joy and full of everything good. Her family and friends were her greatest treasures. It comes as no surprise that she would be planning her 80th birthday party. She was one of the most genuinely, kind, giving and decent people I ever knw. My heartfelt thanks to her family for sharing her with all of us who knew her..
Sorry to hear about your mother. I will always have a lot of good memories. We had a lot of good times at the Eppson Center. She will be missed I'm sure. I will always remember what fun we had trying to always bowl a 300.
Robert and Leslie just want to say we're thinking of you and wishing all of you well.