Darrell Alan Hopper was born on May 30. 1947 to Richard Melvin Hopper and Phyllis Ruth (McCoy) Hopper in Hamburg, IA. Darrell attended Auburn Public School and graduated from Auburn High School in 1965. Darrell went on to attend Milford Vocational Technical School and studied automotive mechanics. He graduated from Milford in December of 1966. He then went to work for Dean Brothers Lincoln Mercury in Lincoln, NE.
On February 25, 1967, he married Linda Jo Cox from Johnson, NE. They began their lives together living and working in Lincoln, NE. Later they moved to Hallam, NE. Darrell began his career with Nebraska Public Power District working at Sheldon Station.
Their family grew in 1971 with the addition of their daughter, Nicole Louise. Three years later, their family grew again with the addition of son Douglas Alan.
Darrell transferred to Cooper Nuclear Station near Brownville, NE. He worked in the mechanical maintenance department where he met and made many lifelong friends. At this time, they moved to Auburn, NE and then shortly thereafter, moved to an acreage in rural Nemaha, NE. In 1983, an addition to the family came with a second son, Eric Jay.
Darrell and Linda continued to live on the same acreage in rural Nemaha where they raised their family and actively supported their children in their activities at school, church and in the community. He was an avid sportsman enjoying hunting, fishing, golfing, and all things sports. Family vacations were spent camping and making many special memories.
He retired from NPPD in 2002 after 32+ years. After retiring, he became the “mister fix-it” for anyone with something broken. In his final days, he was doing what he loved which was restoring a 1965 Falcon Ranchero.
Darrell passed away peacefully at home on October 23, 2024, after a short battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Linda of 57 years, daughter Nicole Shubert of Shubert (friend Mike Ramsey of Salem), son Doug Hopper of Falls City, NE, Eric (Amanda) Hopper of rural Dawson. Grandchildren include Chelsi Shubert, Skyler Hopper, Emma Shubert, Benjamin Shubert, Taylor, Tyler, Jayden, and Jordan Hopper. Sister-in-law Phyllis Hopper of Kansas City, MO., Aunt and Uncle Sharon and Clint Rail of Lincoln, NE. Special cousin Irene Schubert of St. Joseph, MO., many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Phyllis Hopper, brother Marvin Hopper, parents-in-law Charles and Mildred Cox, son-in-law Scott Shubert, sister-in-law Lavon Huneke, and brother-in-law Leland Cox.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Auburn, officiated by Rev. Dave Lockard. Burial followed in Prairie Union Cemetery at Shubert. Casket bearers will be Doug Hopper, Eric Hopper, Ben Shubert, Skylar Hopper, Mike Pickard, and Steve Kennedy. Serving as honorary bearers were Chelsi Shubert, Emma Shubert, Taylor Hopper, Tyler Hopper, Jayden Hopper, and Jordan Hopper.
