Penny Lynn Hopkins

Penny Lynn Hopkins

March 12, 1947 - March 14, 2025

Penny Lynn Schieck was born on March 12, 1947 to Emmitt and Maxine Schieck in Casper, Wyoming. She was the third of four children, having two older brothers and a younger sister. She grew up in Casper and Graduated from Natrona County High School in 1965. She met John Hopkins at Casper Junior College, and they were married in 1970; a loving union that produced a son, Paul, and began a wonderful journey that lasted 54 years.

Penny embraced a life that had many phases, facets, and experiences. She cherished her roles of wife and mother, and John and Paul were the beneficiaries of her life-long love and attention. She had the privilege of being an elementary school teacher who loved the classroom and loved her students. At the beginning of her career, she taught remedial math and reading, and fifth grade. As her career developed, she earned a master's degree in gifted and talented education and worked with those students. As a self-proclaimed “non-athlete” she nonetheless loved skiing, enjoyed cycling, and was proud of completing “Ride the Rockies” three times. She also snorkeled, hiked, and did a little running (at a self-mockingly slow pace). Her creativity took on many forms throughout her life but was always there. For many years it was expressed through sewing, then pottery, painting and drawing, and finally home decorating with changes that reflected the season or holiday and table settings that were more renowned than the food she served. As an explorer, she was able to visit many states and countries, saw wonderful and amazing sites, and experienced cultures that added to the richness of her life. Friendships were easily made and maintained and she enjoyed relationships with young and old, near and far, that were deep and long lasting. Penny was a breast cancer survivor, but in the end was not able to defeat a brain tumor. She had a unique ability to live in, and fully enjoy, the moment - a gift that served her well in her final phase.

Penny and her family want to thank Drs. Swink and King and the nurses, aids, and staff at St. Mary’s and HopeWest who helped her in her battle with her brain tumor. She embraced life with grace, joy, and humor and an unbounded enthusiasm that was infectious. She will be missed by her husband John, son Paul, and sister Lonna Lee Kranz, numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends of all ages. Thank you Penny for sharing your wonderful life with us.

A celebration of Penny's life will be held Monday March 31, 2025 at Eureka McConnell Science Museum at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, and if you are so inclined, a gift in Penny’s memory may be made to Eureka McConnell Science Museum or HopeWest Hospice.