Katherine Hopfauf

Katherine Hopfauf, 97, formerly of Flasher, passed away May 6, 2024, at Vineyard Park Assisted Living in Bothell, Washington.

Mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, May 16th, at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mandan, with Fr. Josh Waltz celebrating. Burial will follow at the Mandan Union Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5-6 PM on Wednesday, May 15th at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan. A rosary / prayer service will begin at 6 PM.

Katherine was born May 29, 1926, in Flasher, ND, to Adam and Magdalena (Schmidt) Friesz.  She grew up on the family farm in Fallon, ND where she attended school.  On June 12, 1945, she married the love of her life, Ralph Hopfauf, at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Fallon.  The two made their home farming nearby for a short while before moving to Seattle, WA in search of new opportunities.

Katherine loved family and children, as evident from the 25 years she and Ralph fostered many infants and young children through Catholic Community Services.  She was very active in her Catholic Church community where she was a member of the Women’s Guild, the Wedding Committee, making Rosary’s, and various other ministries.  Katherine was an excellent seamstress, sewing clothing for herself and her children. Over time, she opened her own successful upholstery business, and taught upholstery classes.  In her retirement years she and Ralph enjoyed traveling around the country in their RV and spending the winters in the Southwest.

Katherine is survived by her children, Paulette (Landy) Manuel, and Candy (Jerry) Carter, brother William Friesz, and sisters, Evelyn Morrell and Lorraine Hitchrick. She is the proud grandmother of 9 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren.

Katherine was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ralph in 2005; son Gerald in 2005; brothers: Edward Friesz, Bernard Friesz and Urban Friesz; sisters: Irene Zander and Eleanor Knoll.