Joan (Jody) Maureen Hupfer

August 17, 1934 - November 30, 2020

Joan (Jody) Maureen Hupfer, 86, of Evansville, passed peacefully, surrounded by family, into the hands of our Good Lord on November 30th, 2020 at North Park Nursing Center. Joan or “Jody” to family, friends, and colleagues was the youngest daughter of the late Ernest and Magdalen (Elpers) Pate. She was born August 17, 1934, in Evansville. Jody graduated from Memorial High School. Jody worked as an active member of the Evansville Area Oil Companies Secretary’s Association and it was her participation in the Catholic Theater Guild, which was well noted with many productions, where she met the love of her life Ronald (Ronnie) Hupfer. That would begin a 64-year love affair that only recently ended three months to the day with the death of her beloved Ronnie. Joan is survived by her loving sons, Patrick A. (Marian) Hupfer of Poughkeepsie, NY and Dr. Thomas K. Hupfer of Evansville; the former Dr. Lori L. Hupfer; grandchildren, Sophia and Gabriella Hupfer; sister-in-law Teresa Pate; and many wonderful Hupfer and Pate nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Joan was predeceased by her sister Jane Pate; brother James Leroy Pate; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, Harold (Eileen) Hupfer and Lloyd (Deloris) Hupfer; and nephew Daniel R. Pate. Jody was a lifelong member of St. Benedict Cathedral where she served on innumerous parish committees, PTA, bereavement dinner volunteer, and at any time a need for help was announced. She was a tireless volunteer in the life of the parish. Jody was a life member of the Saint Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary, (The Original Pink Ladies). She served as a volunteer in the gift shop for many years and was elected and served on the Hospital Auxiliary’s Board of Directors and many years as the Auxiliary’s Assistant Treasurer. Jody volunteered almost 8000 hours over 43 years of devoted service to the patients and to Saint Mary’s Hospital. Jody worked professionally as a senior Decorative Florist, working at Kleitz Flower’s until the death of the owner and then continued for almost 25 years at the Flower Shop of Evansville. Jody loved her work with flowers and decorating creatively in many professional roles. A highlight was her winning First Place for best welcoming entryway decoration from Operation City Beautiful of Evansville. The family knows Jody would want to graciously thank all the staff and care providers of North Park Nursing Center for the years of loving and personalized care that they provided to both Jody and Ronnie and to all our family. Our family is grateful for such a place and its caring staff. The family would like to extend its sincerest thanks to the staff of Heart-to-Heart Hospice for their love and care for Joan. It is a great and true blessing to our community to have such a caring group of medical professionals during these challenging times in which we live. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 8th, 2020 at Ziemer Funeral Home East Chapel, 800 S. Hebron Avenue. Memorial and Rosary recitation will begin at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will begin at the funeral home at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 9th, 2020. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 at St. Benedict Cathedral, 1328 Lincoln Avenue, with Father Godfrey Mullen officiating. Burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorial Mass contributions may be made to St. Benedict Cathedral, 1328 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714. Condolences may be made online at www.ziemerfuneralhome.com.