POPPENGA, P. 1836-1924

POPPENGA

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 3/14/2015 at 21:04:50

Colfax Pioneer Dies Suddenly On Tuesday Night

P. Poppenga Found Dead In Bed By Members Of Family Wednesday Morning

Heart Failure the Cause

Deceased had Been a Resident of Grundy County for Fifty-Four Years

P. Poppenga was found dead in his bed at the home of his daughter-in-law, Mrs. C. Poppenga, in Holland, yesterday morning. Mr. Poppenga retired at the usual time on Tuesday night feeling as well as he had been for several years. When he did not get up in time for breakfast his daughter-in-law called him and she went to his room when no response came. It is not known at what time during the night he died but to all appearances he passed away in his sleep. The cause was heart failure.

Since last spring Mr. Poppenga had been making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Bert Hillygus. When his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Poppenga, returned to her home in town Mr. Poppenga returned to town to make his home with her as he did formerly.

Mr. Poppenga would have been eighty-eight years old next month. He was born in Germany and came to Grundy county fifty-four years ago. Most of that time he resided on his farm in Colfax township. His wife died twenty-three years ago. Since that time he has made his home with his children. Aside from his daughter-in-law he is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Hillygus of Colfax township and Mrs. Nelson, of Fairmont, Minn.

Funeral services will be held at the home at one o'clock next Saturday and at two o'clock at the Christian Reformed church at Holland.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 16 October 1924, pg 1

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Obituary of Poppe Poppenga

Poppe Poppenga was born November 29, 1836, near Emden, Eastfriesland, and died Oct. 15, 1924. He had just moved from the country Tuesday, thinking to spend his reclining days here at the home of his daughter-in-law, Mrs. C. Poppenga, in Holland, when death overtook him. Before retiring Tuesday evening he spoke of Rev. 14:13: "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me. Write Blessed are the dead which died in the Lord from hence forth; Yea, saith the spirit that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them."

Sometime during the early morning watch, as far as is known, he passed without any struggle to the great beyond.

Mr. Poppenga was the son of Sappe and Inkea Poppenga. He was one of a family of seven children. In 1866 he came to America and in the same year was united in marriage at Freeport, Ill., to Elizabeth Klingenberg. This union was blessed with five children, two daughters and three sons. One of the sons died in infancy, one at the age of seven years and his son Cornelius three years ago.

The family resided for four years in Ogle county, Ill., and in 1870 moved to Grundy county. In 1897 they left the farm and moved to Holland. In 1901 his beloved wife was taken from him and since then he had made his home with his children, part of the time at the home of his son, Cornelius, and part of the time at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Gertie Hillygus.

He is survived by 2 daughters, Mrs. Inkea Nelson and Mrs. Gertie Hillygus, two sons-in-law and one daughter-in-law, Mrs. C. Poppenga, also one brother, Ben, who resides in Illinois, all of whom were present at the funeral. He is also survived by eleven grand- and two great- grandchildren. One grandson, Cornelius Hillygus, preceded him in death last April.

A large number of relatives and friends came out Saturday to pay their last respect to the dead. Dr. W. Bode had charge of the services at the house and grave. Prof. J. G. Plesscher assisted at the devotional. Rev. H. C. Bode and Prof. F. H. Wezeman spoke words of comfort at the church. The College Quartet sang. Interment was in the Holland cemetery.

Mr. Poppenga was an elder in the Christian Reformed church at Holland and a devoted child of God. He was gathered to his fathers in a good old age and his memory shall long be held in honor.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 23 October 1924, pg 9