Fern Eleanor Popkes

Sibley, IA 

     Fern Popkes age 97 of Sibley, Iowa died Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at Sibley Specialty Care.

     Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Friday, July 1, 2022, at First Baptist Church in Sibley with Pastor Dallas Johnson, officiating. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Lawn Cemetery at George, Iowa.

     Visitation will be prior to the service from 9:30 AM until the time of the service at the First Baptist Church of Sibley.

     Family prefers memorials be directed to Camp Shetek in Slayton, MN.

     Fern Eleanor (Vust) Popkes was born on November 22, 1924, on a farm near Little Rock, IA, the daughter of Lucas and Jennie (Reemtsma) Vust. She grew up near Little Rock and later graduated from Little Rock High School in 1942. Following her graduation, she attended Cedar Falls Teachers’ School and then taught at Liberal Township #3 country school for three years from 1943 to 1946.

     On June 22, 1945, Fern was united in marriage to Lyle L. Popkes at the church parsonage in George, IA. To this union four children were born, Linda, David, Steven, and Beverly.

     Fern worked various places throughout her life such as, a dime store for two months, George Engelhardt Construction for four years, the Osceola County Engineer’s Office for twenty years (1968 to 1988), and Osceola County Conservation Office part time for three years (1988 to 1991). She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Sibley. Some of Fern’s hobbies included quilting, reading, and she enjoyed working outside. She also enjoyed traveling to various locations with family.

     Fern is survived by three children: Linda (Edward) Den Beste of Huxley, IA, David (Barbara) Popkes of Sheldon, IA, and Beverly (Timothy) Heiliger of Sibley, IA; daughter-in-law, Renee Popkes of Santa Clara, CA; seven grandchildren: Edward (Stacey Horning) Den Beste of Atlantic, IA, Renee Den Beste of O’Fallon, MO, Sarah (Hans) Waganaar of Sioux Falls, SD, Scott (Annie) Popkes of Iowa City, IA, Maggie (Justin) Garry of Sioux Falls, SD, Tessa (Tim) Loeschen of Sheldon, IA, and Ethan (Casey) Heiliger of Sioux Falls, SD; three step-grandchildren: Brittany Finch of Maine, Brandon (Katie) Luebke of California, and Bryce Luebke of California; seven great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; two brothers, Louis (Joanne) Vust and Walter Vust both of Little Rock, IA; one sister, June Vust of Sheldon, IA; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

     She was preceded in death by her parents, Lucas, and Jenny Vust; husband, Lyle Popkes; two sisters, Mary Klaassen and Ruth Backer; two brothers, Fred, and Jake Vust; son, Steven Popkes; grandson, Mark Popkes; brother-in-law, Ervin Backer; and sister-in-law, Margaret Vust.

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