Popken, Josephine H. "Josie" 1908-2009

POPKEN, GROSENHEIDER, PAGELER

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 6/24/2009 at 11:30:45

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, June 24, 2009

Josephine "Josie" H. Popken, 101, of Le Mars, died Monday, June 22, 2009, at the Plymouth Manor Care Center in Le Mars.

Josephine Henrietta Grosenheider was born June 13, 1908, in Plymouth County, the daughter of Robert and Meta (Pageler) Grosenheider. She attended country school in Preston Township. Josie was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, rural Akron, where she was a lifelong member. Josie was active in the Ladies Aide, women's circles and later the W.E.L.C.A. organization. Her church and faith was an important part of her life, whether it was to paint a wall or serve a church dinner. Josie enjoyed reading and playing cards with her friends.

Josie was united in marriage to Fred Popken Dec. 16, 1927. The couple farmed for many years in and around Preston Township until 1964 when they retired. In 1970, Josie and Fred moved from the farm to an acreage near Ireton. Fred died Dec. 4, 1989. Josie later moved to Le Mars in 1994 and since 2003 had made her home at the Plymouth Manor Care Center.

Survivors include a son, Ronald Popken and his wife Linda of rural Akron; two grandsons, Todd Popken and his wife Tammy and their children, Alex and Austin, all of rural Akron and Matthew Popken and his special friend Rhonda DiMascio of Ewing, N.J.; two sisters, Vera Mammen and her husband Carl, and Anna Jones, all of Le Mars; a brother, Robert Grosenheider and his wife Violet and a sister-in-law, Bernice Grosenheider, all of Le Mars; and several nieces and nephews.

Josie was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Meta (Pageler) Grosenheider; her husband Fred Popken in December 1989; a sister, Elsie Oetken and a brother, Fred Grosenheider.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, rural Akron, with the Rev. Jerry Crow officiating. Interment will be in Resthaven Memory Gardens, rural Le Mars. Visitations will be after 3 p.m. Thursday at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars with the family present to greet friends after 5:30 p.m. followed by a 7 p.m. prayer service. Visitation will continue Friday morning at the church from 10 a.m. until service time.

Pallbearers will be Todd Popken, Matthew Popken, Alex Popken, Austin Popken, John Grosenheider, Loren Oetken, and Pete Rohlfs.