Michael "Mike" Ray Hopkins, age 72, of Wessington, passed away quietly, on August 29, 2021, with his family by his side, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital, Aberdeen.

His funeral service was held at 11:00 AM, September 4th, at the First Presbyterian Church at Wessington. Burial followed in the Wessington Cemetery, with military honors conducted by the Watson-Krauter Post #110 Wessington American Legion.  His service was live-streamed. 

Michael Ray Hopkins was born June 8, 1949, the youngest of two sons to John and Beverly Hopkins, at Lusk, Wyoming. As a young child, the family moved to Newcastle, Wyoming, where Mike grew up and graduated from high school in 1968.

After graduation, Mike enlisted in the United States Army. Mike was very proud to have served his country and was stationed in Germany. It was in the Army that Mike learned to become a precision machinist and quickly reached the rank of E5. Mike was honorably discharged in 1971.

In 1971, Mike met and fell in love with Lynette "Lyn" Zerfoss. They married on July 22, 1972, and a year later their daughter, Nichole was born, followed five years later by their daughter, Heather.

In 1982, Mike and a friend started their own machine shop, where Mike's precision machining abilities came in to play. They soon created a very successful and well-known machining business in the Denver area. In July 2019, Mike and his partner retired after 40 years. After living in Aurora, Colorado for 47 years, Mike and Lyn moved back to Wessington.

Like the true warrior he was, Mike fought a valiant battle against a very rare lung disease. In the end, Mike succumbed to viral pneumonia.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents and beloved brother-in-law, Jerold Zerfoss.

Mike leaves behind his wife of 49 years, Lynette; daughter, Nichole (Darvin) Harrell; daughter, Heather (Brian) Gilbert; six grandchildren, Logan, Joshua, Alexzander and Wesley Gilbert and Audrey and Kody Harrell; his brother, Wayne (Pat) Hopkins; and numerous family and friends whose lives he touched with his presence.

 View Mike's Floral Arrangements