Oda C. (Saul) Hopple

Oda C. (Saul) Hopple, 102, of New Cumberland, passed away on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at Commonwealth Senior Living, Harrisburg. She was the daughter of the late Edward and Anna (Newbrough) Saul, born on January 12, 1919 in Harrisburg.

Although she was kind and gentle in many ways, Oda was a strong and independent woman, likely due to the challenges she faced as a young lady. Born during the Spanish flu pandemic, and then struggling with her family through the Great Depression as an adolescent, she would take care of her younger siblings and physically and financially contribute to the family homestead. She married young, meeting her husband, Earl, and the two would start a family. She worked as a sales clerk at various department stores in the area, including Pomeroy’s and The Bon-Ton. She also handled the accounting and daily finances at The Evangelical Press, Harrisburg, where she worked until the publisher went out of business. She had a strong Christian faith, attending Fairview Bethel Church of God, New Cumberland for more than 50 years. Oda was an active member, volunteering with Vacation Bible School and Children’s Church, while also lending her housekeeping skills when the sanctuary needed to be cleaned. She also lent her baking skills around New Cumberland Apple Festival time, when she and others in the congregation would make hundreds of dumplings to sell at the church’s booth. Everyone loved her baking – especially her apple fritters. She was skilled with a crochet needle, making afghans and crafty dolls for friends, family, and those in need. Oda also enjoyed quilting and making patchwork blankets. She loved to entertain and cater to her guests, and in the process, would often to forget to eat, herself. She created beautiful floral arrangements, and went on to help multiple couples by designing flower pieces for their wedding day. She enjoyed traveling, with some of her favorite trips being an Alaskan cruise that spanned three weeks, and two visits to the Holy Land with members of her congregation. She was a life member of the Penn Cumberland Garden Club, and she and her husband were members of the West Shore Senior Center, New Cumberland. Oda always kept an immaculate home, and this was attributed to her inability to sit still. She was constantly dusting, scrubbing and vacuuming, and she would diligently move from one task to the next. You would only find her stationary for a one-hour period on weeknights – during Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. Oda loved her grandson and his wife, and she relied on their help and support over the past several years.

Oda is survived by her grandson and his wife, Robert “Robbie” Koller Jr. and Evelyn of Harrisburg; nephews, Florian “Skip” Konashefski, and Leroy Saul; a niece, Patricia “Patti” Konashefski; son-in-law, Robert H. Koller; and other extended family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Earl D. Hopple; a daughter, Barbara R. Koller; sisters, Doris Konashefski, Marian Babski, and Doll Fink; and brothers, Glen Saul, George Saul, Edward Saul, Karl Saul and Lemuel Saul; and a nephew, Charles “Chuck” Saul.

A funeral service will be held at 11AM on Friday, June 11, 2021 at Fairview Bethel Church of God, New Cumberland. A viewing will be held one hour prior to services at the church. Oda’s interment will take place immediately following the service in Rolling Green Cemetery, Camp Hill.

Flowers are welcome, but contributions to her church are also acceptable: Fairview Bethel Church of God, 800 Old Forge Road, New Cumberland, PA 17070.