POPPE, Vena Gail (Sours) 1922-2011

POPPE, SOURS, BOWER, KELLY, KLUNDER, HUNT, HALL

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 11/13/2012 at 10:51:16

Vena Gail (Sours) Poppe – February 18, 1922 – December 22, 2011

GREENE - A funeral mass for Vena Gail Poppe, of Greene will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, December 29, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Greene with the Rev. Monsignor Walter Brunkan officiating. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery, Greene.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., today, Wednesday, Dec. 28, with a Scriptural Wake service at 7 p.m. at Reid's Funeral Chapel, 519 N. 1st Street, Greene, and will continue at the church one hour before the service.

Vena Gail Sours was born Feb. 18, 1922, three miles east of Marble Rock, Floyd County, Iowa, the daughter of Clifton E. and Vera M. (Bower) Sours and died Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011, at the Leibe Care Center in Greene. She was almost 90 years old.

She received her education in the Union Township No. 10 Country School, Floyd County and graduated from Marble Rock High School in 1940. Vena Gail lived at home until she was 21 years old. She enjoyed farming with her father and especially loved having her pony to ride for 18 years. Vena Gail was married then divorced from Urban Kelly. The couple was blessed with two children.

She was united in marriage to Dale E. Poppe, Oct. 4, 1968. Dale was from Greene and a field representative for P.A.G. Seed Corn Company.
Vena Gail worked alongside Dale for many years. In 1972 and 1973 they drove school bus for the Greene Community Schools. In 1974 the couple started delivering Winnebago Motor Homes all over the United States for Winnebago Industries. They delivered to every state in the United States and made four trips to Alaska and extensively in Canada. Vena Gail also transported Winnebagos by caravan to Mexico many times in a three year period.

In her 12 years of driving, she accumulated 253,497 miles. Due to health issues, she was forced to give up driving.

Once able to resume work, she and Dale were hired as Regional Directors for W.I. Traveler's. They were responsible for the entire eastern portion of the United States.

She and Dale wintered in Florida, Texas, Arizona, California, New Mexico and Oregon for over 23 years. They spent two months in Alaska, three weeks in Maritime Province and Prince Edward Island, Canada.

They were avid fishermen at Leach Lake every summer. She and Dale were Captain and Head Hostess on the "Spirit of Greene" which was a 46-passenger paddle wheel boat that toured the Shell Rock River in Greene. They held their positions from 1988 to 1995.

Vena Gail became fully involved with St. Mary Catholic Church following her driving career. She was a C.D.A. member for 44 years and served as president. She was also a member of St. Lucy's Circle and was president for many years. Vena Gail was a member of the Women's Club and the Handicraft Club.

Her interests included traveling, making crafts and playing cards. She was very involved with her family and loved all the family gatherings. Vena Gail enjoyed picnicking, hiking, attending school functions and sporting events.

She is mourned by two children: Joyce Ann Kelly (Jim) Klunder, Paul E. (Dianne) Kelly; three step-children: Dale Poppe, Jr.; Dean M. (Ruth Ann) Poppe and Sharon (Don) Hunt; 10 grandchildren: Jimmy, Joe, Jason, Justin, Jennifer, Jayne Klunder Zwanziger; Paulie, Brian, Laura Kelly Greier; Chris Rowe and 21 plus great grandchildren; sister: Norma Hall; brother: Calvin (Carol) Sours; sisters-in-law: Evalyn Nettleton and Diane Hartman.

She is preceded in death by her husband: Dale; parents, one brother: Claire, nephew: Clifton Sours; sisters-in-law: Vi Tack, Lucille Sours and brothers-in-law: Clair Nettleton and Bud Hall.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Vena Gail Poppe Memorial Fund in care of the family at 244 South Water Ave., New Hampton, IA 50659.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Reid's Funeral Chapel, 519 N. First St., Greene, www.reidsfuneralchapel.com.

Published in Globe Gazette from December 23 to December 28, 2011