Frances Poppenga

Frances Poppenga, 91, of Lennox, South Dakota died on July 22, 2013 of Alzheimer's and old-age complications at a care facility in Canton. Frances Lorraine Tibbals was born on April 18, 1922 in Lime Springs, Iowa, the daughter of Curtis and Emma (Begeman) Tibbals. She spent her early childhood in Lime Springs and in a home by the Upper Iowa River at Chester, Iowa. She always spoke fondly of her childhood days living by the river. In 1943 she came to South Dakota and stayed with her aunt, Grace and George Poppenga. She soon met her future husband, Sam Poppenga, and they were married on March 11, 1944 in the Reformed Church parsonage in Lennox. This union was blessed with two sons, Sanford (Sandy) Allen and Dave Arden. She and Sam farmed several farms south of Lennox and for 47 years lived and farmed on the old Poppenga home farm, which has been in the Poppenga family for 122 years. For two years they owned and operated one of the first "convenience stores" at the junction of Highways 18 and 17. They sold not only gas, but also groceries, pop and candy. It was the place to be to catch up on the latest news and talk to your neighbors and friends. She was a waitress at Truck Haven on the Canton exit for many years. In 1954, before it was the popular thing to do, she and Sam began going to Arizona nearly every winter. That first winter they pulled a 33-foot trailer with their Cadillac to Arizona. They were the talk of the community. They enjoyed their winters down south very much. Sam died in 1999. Frances suffered from Alzheimer's since about 1997 and entered a care facility in 2004. Frances was a member of the Delaware Reformed Church of rural Lennox. She had many talents. She could play the piano and organ by ear and played at various homes and in Arizona for church services and shows. She painted many beautiful oil paintings and often gave them away. She could write poetry with ease and would write a poem for an occasion or just because she wanted to. She especially liked to write about the "old times". Lastly, she made decorated wedding cakes for many local weddings in the 1960's and 70's. They were made from scratch and beautifully decorated. She could often be seen driving around in her Volkswagen Beetle in the 60s and 70s. She loved dogs and cats, playing bingo, being with family and hearing Dave play his guitar and sing in his bands. She was also a wonderful cook and baked the best apple pies ever and enjoyed having her family together for a meal. Grateful for having shared her life are her sons, Sandy (Barbara) of Lennox and Dave (Sandra) of Crooks; five grandchildren: Brent, Scott, Nathan, April and Lisa (Brian) Gaede; five great-grandchildren: Malik, Carson, Gabriel, Avery, Ryker and Macie Gaede and Caden; one sister, Tressa Alberts of Lime Springs, Iowa; two sisters-in-law: Annie Grann of Cheyene, Wyoming and Shirley Tibbals of Evansdale, Iowa and many other friends and relatives. Services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 26 at Delaware Reformed Church, rural Lennox with burial in the Delaware Cemetery. Visitation also at Delaware Reformed Church will begin at noon Thursday, with the family present from 7 to 8 p.m. Dindot-Klusmann Funeral Home, Lennox is in charge of arrangements.

Frances Poppenga

April 18, 1922 - July 22, 2013

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