Thea Lynn Hopfer

Thea Lynn Hopfer, 80, Aberdeen resident and former branch manager for US Bank in Hoquiam, passed away Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Riverside Place in Hoquiam.

Thea was born on Dec. 24, 1944, in Spokane, Washington to Herbert and Cecile (Carpenter) Eliassen. She grew up in Omak, Washington and in 1963 graduated from Omak High School. In high school, she was a cheerleader and student body secretary. Her senior year, she was voted most popular by her classmates and was elected as the prom queen. She then attended WSU in Pullman but decided to move around and see other parts of the country. She moved to Hawaii and then back to Seattle and ultimately returned to Omak.

She married Tom Hopfer in 1968, and they were together for 28 years. They moved to Ellensburg, Washington and in 1973, they moved to New Orleans, Louisiana for the next two years at which time they moved to Aberdeen, Washington.

Thea worked for US Bank in Hoquiam as the branch manager. Before that she worked at Key Bank in Aberdeen. She was a member of PEO, Lillian Delaney Orthopedic Guild, and American Cancer Society to name a few. She loved to play bridge and tennis, and take walks/hikes outdoors. She really enjoyed spending time and taking trips with family and friends.

Thea is survived by two sons: Eric (Paige) Hopfer of Tokeland, Washington and Kurt Hopfer of Bend, Oregon; a daughter, Kelly Shumate of Aberdeen; a brother, Gary Eliassen of Palm Springs, California; seven grandchildren: Nicole and Kjirstin Hopfer; Parker and Anderson Hopfer; and Andrew, Mathew and Samantha Shumate.

She was preceded in death by Ken McKay, the second love of her life.

The family is planning a celebration of Thea’s life in the spring and details will follow in the paper.

A message of condolence or of a memory can be left for the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com.

Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Washington.