- Date Of Birth: March 29, 1933
- Date Of Death: January 5, 2021
- State: Idaho
Sat. July 3, 2021 1-6 pm – Shoshone City Park
Ivan C. Hopkins, 87, of Shoshone passed away peacefully at his home on Jan. 5, 2021.
Ivan was born on March 29, 1933 in Huston, Idaho, the son of Guy Hopkins and Helen McKinney Hopkins. He was raised on the family farm in the Sunny Slope area near Caldwell and graduated from Notus High School in 1951. Ivan was a star football player in high school, but rather than continue with football at the College of Idaho, he instead went to the University of Idaho to pursue a degree in agriculture. While at the University, he became reacquainted with Esther Andersen whom he had previously met in 1948 on a cross country train trip to attend National 4-H Congress in Chicago. They married in 1954, and then graduated from the University of Idaho in 1955.
Following graduation, Ivan and Esther lived for a short while near Caldwell where Ivan worked on the family farm. Ivan was later drafted into the army and after discharge returned to the farm.
Ivan was proud to be a “rural farm kid”. Agriculture was a way of life for him. He was widely recognized as an expert in irrigation, weed management, and crops especially wheat, barley, and potatoes. The favorite part of his day was to be out walking fields with farmers and friends to improve efficiency while maximizing yields. His favorite motto was “Don’t let your office be too comfortable. Get out and see what’s happening in the field.”
Ivan’s expertise was recognized over the years with many awards, too numerous to list. Some of the more notable awards include the Idaho Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Agriculture, Lifetime Achievement award from the Idaho Grain Producers and installation to the Idaho 4-H Hall of Fame.
Ivan is survived by three children, Terry (Debbie) of Sioux Falls So. Dakota, Helen of Gooding, ID, and Guy of Shoshone ID.; two grandchildren, Angela (Sarah) of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Tom of Sioux Falls, So. Dakota; two great-grandchildren Addie and Lexi; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family also wishes to express thanks to Jane Houst and Steven Stock for their friendship and companionship given to Ivan.
