Art Hoeppner

With his family by his side, Arthur “Art” Hoeppner of Winkler (formerly of Altona) passed away on November 17, 2025, at Boundary Trails Health Centre at the age of 71.

He was predeceased by his beloved son Jeremy; one son in infancy, Kelvin; his parents, Peter I. and Annie (Remple) Hoeppner; his sister, Eunice (John) Fehr; and one sister in infancy, Rosella.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Hilda Hoeppner (née Wiebe); his children, Lorissa (David) Martens and Jennifer (Reid) Gallant; and his grandchildren, Maxwell, Luca, Sophia, Taylor, and Blakely. He is also survived by his siblings Leonard (Evelyn) Hoeppner, Ed (Verna) Hoeppner, Grace (Flo) Poiron, Joyce (Rod) Neufeld, and Tony (Linda) Hoeppner, along with many nieces and nephews.

Arthur Isaac Hoeppner was born on July 9, 1954, to Peter I. and Annie Hoeppner, the fourth of seven children. He enjoyed a happy childhood on the family farm south of Morden—playing with his siblings, riding his bicycle, and spending time with cousins who lived nearby. From an early age, he dreamed of flying airplanes and driving fast cars. He attended church and Sunday School at Glencross Mennonite Church, went to country schools in Glencross and Mountain City, and later attended Morden Collegiate.

Art met the love of his life, Hilda, in November 1975. Shortly afterward, he left for a planned trip to Hawaii but told Hilda to check the mail every day—and sure enough, a letter arrived for her daily. Art and Hilda were married on July 10, 1977. They made their home in Altona, where Art worked at Friesen’s Corporation until 2011, and where they welcomed their children: Lorissa in 1981, Jeremy in 1983, and Jennifer in 1985. In 2020, they moved to Winkler to be closer to family.

Deeply social and loyal, Art was always ready with a joke. He loved going out for coffee (always black) with friends, and he was easily recognized around town on his scooter, wearing his signature sparkly gold helmet. When Art made a commitment, he stood by it. He was the time-keeper for the Altona Maroons hockey team for many years before reluctantly retiring, and he donated blood faithfully for five decades. A hard worker, Art spent many summers running his own landscaping business, often putting in long evenings after work and on weekends.

Art loved good food—especially Hilda’s soups and the Hoeppner and Wiebe sisters’ baking. His all-time favourite was his sister Eunice’s buttermilk cookies, which he famously rated “powerfully good,” the highest praise above the already-excellent “not bad.” Chocolate was the only thing he ever declined—unless it came in the form of Black Forest cake.

Aviation became one of Art’s greatest joys. After earning his pilot’s licence in 1974, he took every opportunity to be in the air. When the chance arose, he eagerly joined a few like-minded enthusiasts in purchasing a plane, most recently a Cherokee PA-140. He travelled to air shows in Winnipeg and Portage la Prairie, and even had the opportunity to fly into Oshkosh—a noteworthy accomplishment given the increased air traffic during the show. Always active in the Altona Flying Club, he could often be found at the airstrip, mowing grass or tending to whatever needed doing.

Art was a dedicated and playful father. He helped his children move—especially Jennifer—more times than anyone could count. In 2000 he was thrilled to join Hilda and their daughter Lorissa on a trip to Australia, an adventure that he often spoke of. He loved roughhousing with his children when they were young and taking them along on regular gas-run trips to Neche, North Dakota. His son Jeremy was his constant sidekick—measuring lawns, helping at the airport, and accompanying him whenever he “needed to see a guy about a horse.” The loss of Jeremy left an ache he carried quietly for the rest of his life.

Faith was at the centre of Art’s life. He was baptized on May 30, 1971, at the Glen Cross Church. He served faithfully in the Altona Evangelical Mennonite Mission Church as a Sunday School teacher, Boys Brigade leader, choir member, Sunday School superintendent, and even as the German singing leader. He rarely missed a Sunday and often drove others to church—sometimes making extra trips to ensure everyone could attend. His steadfast faith carried him through life’s hardships and is a comfort to those who mourn his passing.

Art will be remembered for his humour, generosity, devotion to family, and the countless quiet ways he supported the people around him. A Celebration of Life was held at the Evangelical Mission Church in Altona on November 22, 2025 with burial at the Altona Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the physicians, nurses, and staff who provided compassionate care for Art at Tabor Home, Salem, and Boundary Trails Health Centre. They also wish to extend heartfelt thanks to the friends and relatives who supported them so generously, and to Wiebe Funeral Home, the EMM Church, the Glencross Quartet, and Pastors Al and Dave for their thoughtful assistance with the funeral service.

Donations in memory of Art may be made to the Salem Home Foundation, or to the Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation.