Reagan Hupp

Reagan Hupp, 48 years of age, passed away on Monday, January 10 in Scottsdale, AZ after battling cancer. Her family and friends will gather for a memorial celebration of Reagan’s life at 10:30 a.m on January 22 at Grace Baptist Church. A luncheon for family and friends will follow, and guests can feel free to bring a soup or another Reagan-inspired item to the meal.

Reagan was born on September 25, 1973, in Wichita to Edward and Susan Thompson. She and her older sister Heather spent their growing-up years in Iran, Houston, and London due to Edward’s architectural profession. As a young girl, Reagan responded to God and began experiencing a joyful love for Jesus that marked her life. In fact, her early decision prompted her father to also become a Christian — the first example of numerous times Reagan consciously or unconsciously influenced others to follow God more fully.

Later, as a freshman at the University of Kansas, Reagan fully surrendered to Jesus as her King — and her life radically shifted. After graduation, Reagan married Jonathan Hupp on June 8, 1996, and they began working together as campus ministers. Later, when Reagan was 27 years old and had three children ages four and younger, she moved to Manhattan to start Called to Greatness, a ministry to college students — even though she didn’t know anyone in her new hometown. Over the next five years, the family moved between cities five times, reaching out to young people and opening their home to them. In 2004, they came back to Manhattan to help launch and lead Bluemont Church. During the ensuing years, Reagan poured her life into and helped mentor others from around the world, especially young women.

Though becoming a mother hadn’t occupied much of Reagan’s imagination when she was growing up, it became a passionate and central focus of her adult life. Reagan raised five children: Adam (Detroit, MI), Anna (Laramie, WY), Cade (Ames, IA), Ian and Amsie (Manhattan, KS). Their ages currently range from 11 to 24.

After Reagan was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer in February 2021, she fought valiantly for life, motivated by her desire to be there for others. Though Reagan was a fighter, she contended in unexpected ways. She thought of the phrase “strong like a butterfly” to describe her personality and approach, and many friends and family members wore t-shirts bearing this catchphrase to support her.

Overall, Reagan embodied grace and beauty throughout her life, combining her gentle influence on others with her knack for pointed one-liners. More than anything else, Reagan’s family and friends will remember her love, which manifested in authentic attention and care for others.

Reagan’s parents, sister, husband, children and others remember a life that embraced “lightness” while fully acknowledging the heaviness of physical struggle and emotional pain. From this place, Reagan chose to bring the answer of the Good News of Jesus into the darkness and brokenness of the world.

The family is deeply grateful for the innumerable ways people have supported them during the past year. If desired, memorial gifts can be given to Called to Greatness’ K-State Campus House Fund. Flowers and/or contributions may also be left in care of Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.