Betty Jean Popkes

Rock Rapids, IA Betty Popkes, age 54 of Rock Rapids, IA died Monday, October 18, 2010 at her home in Rock Rapids, after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, Oct. 22nd at the Apostolic Christian Church in Lester. Burial will follow in the Riverview Cemetery at Rock Rapids. Visitation will be Thursday, Oct. 21st from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. with the family present at the Apostolic Christian Church Fellowship Hall. Betty Jean Juffer was born May 10, 1956 in Rock Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Henry and Anna (Korenberg) Juffer. She lived in Lester and attended West Lyon School until 7th grade and then moved to Doon and graduated from Central Lyon High School in 1974. She continued her education in the Sioux Valley Nursing Program in Sioux Falls, SD, graduating in 1977. On March 19, 1977 Betty married Randy Ross in Rock Rapids, IA. The couple lived in Rock Rapids, and was blessed with three children. She worked for 22 years a Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital in Rock Rapids. In 1999, Betty worked for 1 year at Jones Eye Clinic in Sioux Falls and in 2000 started at Opth. Ltd. On October 23, 2003 her husband Randy suddenly died after 26 years of marriage. She continued to work and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She enjoyed stamping, scrapbooking, making cards, cooking, sewing and crafts. On March 10, 2007, Betty married Jeff Popkes in Lester, IA. In August of 2006, she was diagnosed with Cancer. She continued working at Opth. Ltd. until her health declined. Betty will be remembered as a warm, caring person, who always displayed more concern for others, than herself. She is survived by her husband, Jeff Popkes of Rock Rapids, IA; three children, Kristy (Andy) Loosbrock of Lismore, MN, Ryan Ross of Long Beach, CA and Kayla Ross and her special friend Joey Breja of Iowa City, IA; mother, Anna Juffer; sister, Elsie (Galen) Grevengoed ; and brother, Jeff (Mary) Juffer all of Rock Valley, IA; and many nieces and nephews. Betty was preceded in death by her first husband, Randy Ross; father, Henry Juffer; and brother, John Juffer.