Henry Poppens

Henry M. Poppens, 90, passed away on January 25, 2013 at his farm home near Tea, while at the breakfast table. Henry was born on October 22, 1922 in Turner County, South Dakota and baptized there. He moved to Perry township where he attended grade school. He graduated from Lennox High School in 1940. At that time he was a confirmed member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Tea. Childhood rheumatic fever left him with a heart murmur that kept him from military service during World War II. Henry continued to farm and on July 8, 1949 married Cleo Mae Fodness at her parents home southeast of Lennox. They moved to the farm that he had established south of Tea and remained there. Together they raised hogs, crops and their four children: Linda (John) Boland, Rapid City, Marlyn (Pam) Poppens, Omaha, Larry W. Poppens, Lennox and Michael (Janae) Poppens, Lennox. His devotion was to God, family and work. He was a faithful member of West Prairie Lutheran Church where he took an active role in the life of the church. His faith was exemplified by not giving in to despair. He could sleep through a hail storm, knowing that all he could do is what he could do and then he would do it. Together, with Cleo Mae, he brought this witness and work ethic to all of his children. He was committed to justice and fairness. Throughout his farming career, he worked hard and took pleasure in his hogs and clean fields. He really only disliked four things: rocks, weeds, anything that made his hogs sick and sloth. Henry was a farmer-dealer for Northrup King Seeds for decades and savored the opportunity to visit with neighbors and customers. He loved to visit, both with people he had known for ever, and with those he had just met. He was grateful for the dimension this led to his life. He served on the Tea School Board, the Lennox School Board and the Lincoln County Pork Producers. Henry was engaged until his last breath in family, local and world affairs. Among those he loved were his wife, children, grandchildren: Megan and Mitch Heusinkvelt and their children, Emma and Colin; Matthew, Amanda, McKayla, Natalie, Sean Poppens, Jenny and Charles Hanson and her son, John Boland. Surviving Henry, also, are his brothers and sisters: Dorothy Schnose, Davis, Robert (Lydia) Poppens, Lennox, LeRoy Poppens, Lennox, Irene Nelson, Wauwatosa, WI, Ruth (John) Sherbon, Mason, Ohio; sisters-in-law: Lowane (Alvin) Bossman, Geneva (Clarence) Medema; nieces, nephews and cousins. Gone before Henry are his parents, William and Anna (Andreessen) Poppens; his beloved brother, Harold Poppens; his parents-in-law: Martin A. and Tena Fodness; his precious little brother-in-law: Arlyn Fodness; brother-in-law: Julius Schnose; sister-in-law: Sarah Ann Poppens; nieces: Donna Bossman-Ihnen and Anna Nelson. Services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 28, 2013 at West Prairie Lutheran Church, rural Lennox with burial to follow at the West Prairie Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday at West Prairie Lutheran Church, with the family present from 3 to 5 p.m. The family requests that memorials be directed to Henry M. Poppens Memorial Fund.

Henry Poppens

October 22, 1922 - January 25, 2013

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