Popken, Helen 1921 - 2011

POPKEN, KRUSE

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/13/2012 at 14:06:28

Helen Popken

Date of Death
Saturday, December 24, 2011

Le Mars, Iowa

Helen M. Popken, 90, of Le Mars passed away Saturday, December 24, 2011 at the Good Samaritan Society in Le Mars.

Her funeral service will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at St. John Lutheran Church, Preston Township, rural Akron, Iowa with Reverend Carla Nelson officiating. Interment will be at the church cemetery. Visitations with the family present will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars. Visitation will continue Wednesday afternoon at the church from 12:30 p.m. until service time.

Pallbearers will be Steve Westhoff, Rick Westhoff, Luke Haage, Jenn Stodden, Shawna McCabe, and Tina Detloff.

Helen Marie Popken was born May 16, 1921 on the family farm in Grant Township, rural Le Mars to Adolph and Clara (Kruse) Popken. She was baptized into the Lutheran faith at home by Reverend Theo Meyer from St. John Lutheran Church, Preston Township. She was later confirmed through the church. Helen attended country school near her home at Grant #4. While living on the farm, Helen worked as a housekeeper for various neighbors. As a young woman, she moved to Le Mars and worked at Marie’s Dress Shop for a number of years while also selling Avon products. In 1985, Helen began working at the Brentwood Good Samaritan Center, retiring after 22 years in 2007.

Helen was a lifetime member of St. John Lutheran Church. Her faith was a very important part of her life. She enjoyed singing in the choir for 48 years, she had taught Sunday school for 28 years and enjoyed participating in her church circle and other activities at the church.

Helen loved to visit with family and friends. Her warm smile will be missed by many. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Adolph and Clara (Kruse) Popken; and eight brothers and sisters, Dora (John) Westhoff, Albert Popken, Alma (John) Onken, Clara (George) Oetken, Emma (George) Westhoff, Della (Henry) Dirks, Hilda (William) Renken, Tina Popken in infancy, and Amanda (Harvey) Haage.

Carlsen Funeral Home
Le Mars, Iowa