Next month we celebrate 20 years on the web at pasty.com. Though it started as a father-and-son project, Mom was active from the very beginning: proof-reading, cracking the whip to meet deadlines, research for "Shoebox Memories" and "Day in History", doing her part to bring a "Daily Glimpse of Life" in the U.P. to our online friends. Eventually our daughter also joined the crew, as the voice of the "Pasty Girl" on the phone.

Yesterday Jon and Becky's Mom, my wife, your friend - Edie Hopper - bid us farewell for awhile:

Edith Marie (Edie) Hopper, 63, of Eagle River passed away Thursday, April 21, 2016, at PortagePointe in Hancock.

She was born April 3, 1953, in Pontiac, Michigan, the daughter of Leon J. and Thelma (Covert) Cobb. When she was 11 years old Edie became a brittle Type I juvenile diabetic. She graduated in the Class of ’71 Lake Orion High School and briefly attended Mercy School of Nursing in Detroit.

She married Charles Ray (Charlie) Hopper in December of 1972. Charlie’s family doctor at that time predicted that Edie might only live to age 35 because of her severe diabetes.

Edie worked with her husband, in Detroit area radio in the early 70’s, earning her Third Class FCC license. They moved to Marquette in 1975 to manage the former WDMJ, under the new ID of WHWL. Moving in 1977 to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Edie embraced the role of housewife and home-school teacher for their two children. In summer months the family worked at Gitche Gumee Bible Camp in Eagle River, to which they finally moved in 1988 (when she was 35).

Edie served as head housekeeper for Gitche Gumee until she had to retire in 1997, as diabetic complications began to appear. She overcame the disease by keeping physically active, balancing diet and insulin, and prayer. Edie was a true believer in the “new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”. She served as Chaplain for the Onagamingkway Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She represented DAR at numerous ROTC and JROTC award ceremonies. Charlie and Edie became lifetime members of both Keweenaw County and Houghton County Historical Societies. She loved to research her family geneology. In 2008, again collaborating with her husband, Edie took on a new role of historical researcher for Pasty Central’s “Day in History”. In 2013 vascular problems returned, along with numerous surgeries, and eventually death, almost three decades beyond the earlier predictions.

Surviving are her husband, daughter Becky Howard of Logan, Utah, son Jonathan (Dr. Katriina) Hopper of Eagle River/Houghton, grand- daughters Kira and Kit Howard of Logan, Utah, and Ellie Hopper of Houghton, as well as her mother, brothers, aunts and uncles and numerous cousins. She was preceeded in death by her father in October 2015.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 24, at 2 pm at the Gitche Gumee Tabernacle in Eagle River, with the memorial service to follow at 3 pm. Burial will be in the Houghton Township Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family encourages donations to Beacon House, 1301 N 3rd St, Marquette, MI 49855, or at upbeaconhouse.org.

OMG Charlie!!! So sorry to hear about Edie. Mine and Dr. Nat's condolences to you and the family. She may be gone, but she will never be forgotten for all she did for Pasty.net and the community in general!

Charlie, so sorry to hear about Edie's passing. I will always think of her when I look at Pasty Central.

Our sympathies and condolences on the loss of a unique and wonderful woman. She will definitely never be forgotten by any Pasty Central fan. We send our prayers. Paul & Sandee Raappana

I'm so sorry...God Bless all....and now Edie is
making pasties for God....Deepest Sympathies.

To Edie's Family.

I am so sorry to hear of Edie's passing. She will be missed by so many people.

Edie will always be around. :O)

So sorry for your loss. Like many here, I never met Edie and yet she was a part of all our lives. My condolences to all in your family.

It is truly a sad day...my deepest condolences to Charlie, his family and the entire Pasty family.

Yet we have this assurance: Those who belong to God shall live again. Their bodies shall rise again! Those who dwell in the dust shall awake and sing for joy! For God’s light of life will fall like dew upon them!
(Isaiah 26:19)

Amen! to that Alex.

I am so sorry for your loss! OUR loss, really. I remember the delightful lunch I had with Edie (and Charlie) a few years ago, as my one attempt to attend a DAR meeting in the U.P. Nobody else came because of snow, but they were there.

Charlie, so very sorry to hear about the loss of Edie.
May God's grace and peace envelope your whole family.

Dear Charlie,

I was afraid this message was coming soon but prayed you'd have more time with your beloved Edie on this Earth. We know she is with her Lord now, free from pain and basking in His love. And we know you have the comfort of knowing you will be reunited one day with Edie. But you must travel thru the valley now. Our hearts and prayers go with you for a blessed celebration of Edie's life. How we wish we could be there at the Tabernacle at Gitche Gumee for the services.

Charlie, Becky, Jon, Families and Friends of
Edie,, I send to you all heartfelt condolences.
Rest In Peace Edie.

Charlie and the Hopper family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss, my deepest condolences to all of your family members.

I hoped for a miracle for Edie. I am so sorry for you and your
family,Charlie. I know it has been a long and difficult time for all of
you. May Edie rest in peace.

Charlie and all Edie's loved ones: I'm so sorry for your loss.

We are so very sorry for your loss. We never met Edie but just felt we knew her through the pasty web site which we visit daily. Our deepest sympathy to you and all of your family.

My sincerest condolences to Charlie and family.

I wrote on the Facebook page, but this is the page for which we
Pasty Cammers feel a special connection. Hoping that Edie's
celebration at Gitche Gumee will be just right for such a lovely lady.
Like the rest of us on this page, I didn't know Edie, but felt her
presence and prayed for her and the rest of the family. God bless
you all.

Charlie my condolences to you and your's. Prayers
for you and your family.

I've never shed a tear reading pasty.com before. Today is a first.

Gary you are so right. I never met Edie or you or your family but only know you thru Pasty.com, but feel that I do know that she was a wonderful person because of the messages from so many readers for so long as we all followed your daily updates; so many readers cared so much about Edie and your family - what a wonderful tribute to a beautiful soul. And she lived in the most beautiful place on earth - Michigan. God Bless. Edie is in the arms of Jesus now.

Charlie, words seem so inadequate, but thoughts and prayers
to you and the family. The obituary certainly tells a story of a
loving, tight knit family

My sincere sympathy to the Hopper family in the loss
of a wonderful wife,mom and grandmom....She was a
very special lady! You all remain in my thoughts and
prayers.

As usual, I'm helpless for words at times like this. I can only echo the words of jbuck (Jbuck), Erica - Florida Keys (Erica) and all the other Pasty folks here today.
I feel like I've lost a dear family member. 😢

Condolences to you and your family
Charlie.

We are so sorry Charlie, we will all miss Edie. The highest form of love is pulling together against all odds....

Dear Charlie, we are so sorry to hear about Edie.
She lifted peoples spirits whenever she entered a
room. Her smile and laughter could be heard from a
distance. You couldn't help but have a bounce in
your step and a smile on your face after an
encounter with her. She will be dearly missed. May
you and your family feel the comfort and peace of
our Lord and Savior as he envelops you in his
tender loving arms. Our prayers and our thoughts
are with you and your family. "Precious in the
sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."
Psalm 116:15 Lorry & Bruce

Charlie and family, Please accept our deepest sympathy as you have loss the most dearest member of your family. Thank you for having shared her with the world. Edie will be greatly missed by everyone.

My heartfelt sympathy is with you and your family, Charlie, and prayers for all will continue. The beautiful witness of faith and love by you and Edie on this journey has been truly inspirational. Bless your hearts.

So very sorry for your loss.

There are no words and they've all been
said anyway. Like everybody else, many
heart breaks for the family of Edie.
Though I did not know her, I always have
felt that I know all of you. My prayers
will be with you all as you go through
this terrible sadness. If I could, I
would definitely join you in Eagle River.
God's speed to you all.

Condolences Charlie to you and your family on your loss. My thoughts and prayers will be with you all in the coming days.

Oh Charlie, my deepest sympathies to you, and to Edie's family! Your journey together was amazing while enduring Edie's health. You were always there for her, you're an amazing husband. And she was so brave and persevering, positive and stayed active - probably added some more time. I have no more words to say other than may you be blessed with strength and peace through this hard time. Rest in peace Edie.

Sorry for your loss Charlie & Family.

I extend my condolences to you, Charlie, on your great loss. I hope you find some solace and comfort from your family and friends and pasty cam members. As with any great loss, your life takes a new direction. I hope you find your new direction as bountiful and enjoyable as your past endeavors have been.

My condolences to you, Charlie, and the Hopper family. You were always there as a saint for Edie during her very long struggle. Be comforted knowing that she is at peace, and that you'll one day join her to celebrate your "monthly anniversaries" for eternity. May God bless.

So sorry for your loss

Thanks so much for every heartfelt expression of sympathy. Edie's extended family is crisscrossing the U.P. today, converging on the Keweenaw for the memorial service tomorrow (Sunday) at Camp Gitche Gumee. This morning as I read through your postings here as well as Facebook, I'm warmed with the joy Edie and I have shared through the years, because of connecting with you. It reminds me of one of her favorite hymns:

My heart just dropped when I first clicked on the
link & saw Edies picture; my sincere condolences
to you, Charlie, so wish I could have met her, but
I will someday... <3 <3

My deepest sympathy to you at this most difficult time.

Rest in peace, Edie.

My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this sad time.

My sympathy to Charlie and all the family at this time.

Charlie,
My deepest condolences to you and your family. My wife of 28 years also lived with a chronic illness that finally took her. I know it created greater than average love and strength surrounding all those that shared in her life. I can sense the same is true with Edie.

To Edie's family:

My deepest sympathy for all of you.

I have never met any of you and only know you through pasty.com. But spending so many years reading the stories and "listening" to you tell them, following your family and Edie's health struggles, I feel as though I know you better than some of my own relatives. Reading of her passing, I am crying as I type this.

Thankfully, the family doctor was wrong and Edie surpassed that prediction of 35 years. I am grateful for the blessing of Edie's gift of time and character to this site.

Prayers for Edie's family and the hope that happy memories will be of some comfort with you.

God Bless