Marie Hopster

Marie D Hopster (1925-2021)


Marie was born on May 8th, 1925 to Leslie B. Larson and Dora O. Belair. She was the oldest of seven children with three brothers, Bernard, Laurence, and Ralph, and three sisters, Dorothy (Weller), Catherine (Luedke), and Ruth (Chatas). She met and fell in love with a young soldier, George Hopster, whom she married on April 5th, 1945. Together they raised five children, Cheryl (Bretz), Georgette, Bonita, Leslie, and Fraya. They were very supportive of their kids often following or driving them to baseball and softball games, choir concerts, band competitions, and many, many bowling events.


The family moved to Lancaster in 1963, where Marie became very active in the community. She was a member, director, and officer serving as Secretary and later President of the Antelope Valley Women’s Bowling Association. She participated for over 40 years and was honored as a Life Member. She was inducted into the AVWBA Hall of Fame in 1998. She served as President of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Monte Vista Little League, was a Girl Scout Troop Leader, and was a member of the Women’s Club, Zonta International, and TOPS.


Marie worked as a substitute teacher in the early to mid-’60s before becoming a full-time employee of the Antelope Valley Fair. She retired after twenty-plus years of service. In 2000, she was awarded the Blue Ribbon Award for her years of service and volunteer work with the AV Fair.


Marie is survived by her daughters; Georgette, Bonita, and Fraya; her grandsons, Willian Bretz, Steve Crosby, and Lucas Hopster; her great-grandsons Lexen Hopster and Hunter Crosby; and her sister Catherine Luedke.