Elda Hopkins, 83, passed away at her home on June 11, 2010, after a lengthy battle with multiple myeloma. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at Foster's Chapel with Jeff Thayer and Greg Willert officiating. Visitation will be held Monday evening 5:00 -- 8:00 at Foster Funeral and Cremation Center. Elda Rina Baroni, daughter of Angelo and Giulia (Tonoli) Baroni, was born June 6, 1927, in Pozzolengo, Italy. At the age of six, she moved with her family to Argenteuil, a suburb of Paris, France, where she lived until after World War II and the German Occupation of France. She received her education in Argenteuil and Paris. She was employed by the U.S. Army as an interpreter, where she met Keith Hopkins, who was stationed at the same Army facility. They were married on December 14, 1946. She immigrated to the United States in 1947 and became a naturalized citizen in 1950. Keith and Elda lived in Colorado, California and Nebraska before moving to Iowa in 1954. In 1958, the family settled in Webster City. Elda's early years in the U.S. were spent raising her family and assisting with her husband's farming operation. She later earned a Master's Degree in French from Iowa State University and taught French and Spanish at Webster City High School for 19 years, retiring in 1990. She enjoyed teaching French and sharing the culture, history and art of France with others. She led tours for more than two hundred students and others to France and Spain as part of her teaching career, and into retirement. After retiring, she volunteered in many ways in the community, but was most passionate as a French teacher at St. Thomas Aquinas School and as the coordinator of the Kendall Young Library annual book sale and girls' formal tea parties. She and her husband enjoyed traveling, gardening and being with family and friends. She was a member of a nondenominational Christian fellowship for many years. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son, Bill (Nina) Hopkins of Gilroy, California; daughters Michelle (Chan) Kershner of Tucson, Arizona, and Josi (Bill) Greenley of Webster City; and nine grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, one sister, and one grandson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials be given to the Kendall Young Library or Hamilton Hospice.

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