Helen Azilee Hoipkemier

Helen Azilee Hoipkemier, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, and devoted follower of Jesus Christ, peacefully passed into the arms of her Savior on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Raclin House in Mishawaka, Indiana, surrounded by family. Helen is survived by her sons, David (Rory), Mark, and Gary (Karol), as well as her seven grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, all of whom share her deep Christian faith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill and her son, Kris.

Helen was given 97 beautiful years of life lived to the fullest. Her zest and energy were noted by all who knew her, and her independence and gift-giving never slowed down – truly she seemed to be ageless in her incredible health, astute mind, and endless generosity to everyone in her life.

She was born in Council Hill, Oklahoma on April 28, 1927 to Chessie and Arthur O. Haggard, growing up with her brother, Arthur, and a close set of cousins in a loving, strong, and hard-working family culture which she cherished.

Helen met her beloved husband, William Kent Hoipkemier (Bill), at the University of Oklahoma in the Baptist Student Union, in which they both participated actively. They were married in 1948, and shared 63 faithful and happy years before Bill’s death in 2012. Bill’s career at Honeywell took them from Oklahoma to Minnesota to Indiana to Illinois where they made lifelong friendships and gave their boys vivid memories of the wintry north. Not untouched by tragedy, they weathered the untimely death of their son, Kris in 1972. When Bill retired, they returned home to Oklahoma where Helen would care for her mother, exercise her life-long passion for flower gardening, and regularly host visits from family and friends. Their retirement was full of RV adventures, including semi-annual trips to Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO, family camping in the Great Smoky Mountains, and a great Alaska road trip with Dale and Elderine. She and Bill put literally thousands of miles underneath them and never lost their love for God’s creation.

Helen’s distinct love for music began as a child and continued throughout her life. She graduated with a music degree playing piano and flute, gave music lessons, and served in two churches as church pianist. She encouraged her sons and grandchildren in their pursuit of music and delighted in whatever musical endeavors they pursued. After moving to South Bend following Bill’s passing, she could be found at any recital or choir performance of her gifted grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and she was the quiet patron of instruments and music lessons even beyond her family members. Sunday nights at her house were reserved for pizza and music-making, featuring her flute and her granddaughter’s flute and a church friend’s autoharp.

Helen was a joyful, giving, and hospitable force in the world. She never complained. Her faith in Jesus Christ animated her daily life and gave her a spirit of generosity that never diminished and was available to whomever she encountered and befriended. Neighborhood movie night, showing up for every family gathering with a special “sack” for each child, traveling across the country to celebrate a dear friend’s 99th birthday…she was always going above and beyond. Her pantry was stocked with food which would become meals for a sick neighbor, a member of her church in need, or an upcoming family gathering. She was famous for a nearly inexhaustible supply of dishes and desserts tucked away in the freezer for the right moment. (Those who were lucky enough to try her twice-baked potatoes never forgot them.) Everywhere she lived, Helen discovered a community of knitters with whom she could create sweaters, hats, scarves, blankets, purses, and countless treasures she brought to life with her gifted hands. This similarly translated into an organized and prolific system of cards and gift-giving for every member of her large extended family as well as close friends. She was truly never outdone in thoughtfulness.

Helen’s bright smile and strong, radiant spirit will be dearly missed. Her artistry in her flower garden, her ready game table for a round of dominoes or Phase10, her never-empty candy jar for the visiting grandchild, her encouraging and delighted laugh to welcome others into her home are only further evidence of a life grounded in God’s rich and abundant love. She was one in a million.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Community Baptist Church, 5715 Miami Road, South Bend, IN. Friends may visit with family beginning at 10:00 a.m., at Community Baptist Church, South Bend (live stream https://www.communitybaptist.com/). Interment will take place in Oklahoma City at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.