Pauline Ellen Hopkins, 90, of Laramie, Wyoming, passed away on Nov. 7, 2016 after a short stay at the Laramie Care Center. She was born July 16, 1926 in Ridgeway, Colorado, to John and Marie Crawford. She spent her early life in Colorado until the family moved to Laramie in the 1940s when her father began working for the Union Pacific Railroad. Pauline graduated in 1945 and soon left Wyoming to work for the U.S. Military at Lowery Field in Denver and Treasure Island in San Francisco. She was always strong-willed and proud of her independent spirit. She met Johnny Hopkins at the Buckhorn Bar before she left for California. Johnny was smitten and he hopped a freight train to ask her to return to Laramie.

Pauline and Johnny were married August 21, 1948 in Laramie and began their family. They had three sons, Michael John, Gary Lee, and Randall Jay. In 1952, they moved to McFadden, Wyoming, and Johnny worked for Marathon Oil until his retirement in 1985. Pauline and Johnny loved raising their family in McFadden and were active in the small community. The family spent time fishing, water skiing, and hunting. Pauline loved selling sloppy joes at the rodeo at the Valley Station, playing bridge, and raising her family.

In 1969, Pauline and Johnny took a leap of faith and became owners of the Buckhorn Bar in Laramie. Pauline soon began the day-to-day management of the business, and worked many hours bartending. She had a genuine ability to always make all of her customers feel special and welcome.  She was active in the Laramie downtown and worked to promote the businesses on Ivinson Avenue. She loved Laramie Jubilee Days, served as an officer in the Laramie Liquor Association, and was active in the Laramie Zonta Club.  She loved to go out for breakfast and enjoyed seeing friends and family in the local Laramie restaurants.  She always had a positive outlook on life and never said an unkind word about anyone.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Johnny Hopkins, in 2004; her mother and father; brother, Charles Crawford; and brother-in-law, Robert Bell.  She is survived by her sister, Shirley Bell, of Salt Lake City, Utah; sons Michael Hopkins (Shawnee Abel), Gary Hopkins (Mary Hopkins) and Randall Hopkins; grandchildren Tyler Hopkins (Kaylee Porter), Shannon Hopkins (Nick Butler), Ashley Evans (Colin Evans) and Mandi Hopkins (Kenny Levengood); and great grandchildren Alexis, Tristan and Adrian.

Pall bearers are Eddie Moreno, Matt Mickelson, Kenneth Reusser, Brandon Ruckman, Buck Ward, and Colin Evans.  Honorary pall bearers are Robert Milliken, Greg Milliken, Buddy Bell, Steve Bell, Robert Ruckman, and Dean Meyer.

Memorial donations can be made to the Laramie Animal Shelter (1064 N. 5^th Street Laramie, Wyoming 82072)

Services are scheduled at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10^, at Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home with the Reverend Rhett Ivey, officiating. Burial will follow at Greenhill Cemetery.

A reception for the Laramie community will be held at the Buckhorn Bar from 3 to 6 p.m.   The family welcomes all who knew her to help the family celebrate her life.