Franklin Ben Benjamin Hoppe , January 17, 1937 — April 18, 2018

Franklin “Ben” B. Hoppe, age 81 of Shawano, formerly of Clintonville, passed away Wednesday, April 18, 2018 in Appleton, WI. Franklin “Ben” Benjamin Hoppe was born January 17, 1937 in the Town of Pella to the late Franklin & Odellia (Koeller) Hoppe. He attended grade school in Shawano and later graduated from Clintonville High School.

Ben was a gifted baseball player and pitched all through high school, played for the Clintonville A’s, and was even invited to attend try-outs for the Milwaukee Braves. Instead, the newly married Ben chose to start a family and work locally. Ben was united in marriage to Jeanne Fischer on October 19, 1957 at Christus Lutheran Church, Clintonville, where he was still a current member.

He worked for FWD Seagrave, Clintonville right out of high school, and became a sales manager. Although Ben officially retired at the age of 65, his service to the company continued for another 10 years or so, running parts and delivering fire trucks; over 50 years in total. In the late 1960’s Ben & Jeanne opened Hoppe’s Shoe Shoppe, Clintonville; running this business through the early 1980’s.

Ben also served as a Clintonville firefighter for 20 years. He loved to curl at the Clintonville Curling Club, play golf, and loved to travel. In the years his was delivering trucks, Ben was proud of having visited every state in the U.S., except for Alaska.

He also was very fond of his dog, Tiger Woods Hoppe, his Schnauzer. It was no secret that Ben adored his late wife, Jeanne; the couple would hold hands often, making it clear to everyone that they were very much in love. Ben will be remembered as a kind, gentle man who would never hesitate to help anyone.

Survivors include: Daughter: Jodi Kriewaldt, Appleton Sons: Jeff (Sarah) Hoppe, Green Bay & Jim “Buck” (Joni) Hoppe, Appleton Grandchildren: Joe (Melissa), Jeni (Ryan), Kelly, Alex, Nikki (Tim), Mandy (John), and Beau (Amanda) 16 Great-Grandchildren Ben was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Jeanne. Memorial services will be held 11 AM, Saturday, April 28, 2018 at the Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Clintonville, with the Rev. Brian Crocker officiating.

Friends may call on Saturday at the funeral home from 9:30 AM until the time of the service. An online guestbook is available at eberhardtstevenson.com.

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