Marilyn M. Hoppe, 80, of Waterloo, died Monday, January 23, 2012 at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics following a lengthy illness.

Marilyn was born June 5, 1931 in Chickasaw County, Iowa the daughter of Edward Frederick and Lela Inez (Straw) Draheim.   She was an alumnus of Edison Elementary School in Waterloo.

Marilyn married Kenneth O. Hoppe October 16, 1948 in Nashua.  He died April 29, 1988.  She worked as a cook at Hoppe's Family Cafe in Hudson and at the Waterloo Elks Club and was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church.

Marilyn loved cooking and was perhaps best known for her homemade bread, noodles, and bread pudding.  Family meant a lot to her, she was especially fond of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Marilyn was a very giving person and would put others before herself.  She could lighten the mood with her wild sense of humor.  She enjoyed spending time at the trailer on the Mississippi in Prairie du Chein, and loved the outdoors, fishing, and camping.

Marilyn is survived by three sons: Michael (Nancy) Hoppe of Ocala, Florida, Todd (Paige) Hoppe of Waterloo, Tim Hoppe of Waterloo, a daughter Amy (Dan) Olson of Waterloo, son-in-law Jerry Budke of Waterloo, 12 Grandchildren and 14 Great Grandchildren: Wendy (Ken) Miller and children Lauren and Carter; Joel (Mandy) Hoppe and daughter Mayah; Jenny (Ellery) Brunning and children Breanna, Brandon, Lillian, and Benjamin; Ryan (Sommer) Budke and children Korbin and Hailee; Jared (Stephanie) Hoppe and children Eli and Ava; Alyssa (Matthew) Frana and children Trae, Evan, and Lydia; Whitney Hoppe; Sydney and Anna Osmundson; and Jared, Alannah and Katie Jo Olson.  She is also survived by a sister Bonnie Meighan of Waterloo.

Marilyn is preceded in death by a daughter Debbie Budke and 11 brothers and sisters.