Kenneth Lou Popelka

Kenneth Lou Popelka, of the Town of Evergreen, died on Sunday, July 28, 2019. He was 85 years old. He was born May 6, 1934 at the family home in the Town of Evergreen to the late Stephen and Augusta (Kuntz) Popelka. Kenny attended Cozy Corner Grade School, and graduated from White Lake High School in 1952. He worked at the Winnebago State Hospital in Oshkosh, then served in the US Army from 1955-1957. After returning from military service, he began to take over the family farm from his father, and he continued to farm the rest of his life. He married Marcella Szitta on June 25, 1960 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Polar, and she survives. Kenny loved to work. When he wasn't working on the farm, he was logging, operating his sawmill, gardening, or working on Christmas trees. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family. He was a member of the White Lake American Legion Post #524 and the 40 et 8 Langlade Voiture Chapter 1204. He served the community as an EMT with Troutland Rescue for 35 years, vice president of the White Lake Historical Society, representative on the local Farmers Home Administration board, and he also volunteered regularly at community events. Kenny was a faithful and active member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, serving on the church council. In addition to his wife, Marcella Popelka of the Town of Evergreen, survivors include 3 daughters, Sandra (Richard) Phillips of Shawano, Sherri (Scott) Krause of White Lake, and Susan (Roger) Lundsten of La Crosse; a son, Scott (Karyn) Popelka of White Lake; 4 grandchildren, Scott R. (Lisa) Popelka of Hartland, Ryan Popelka of White Lake, Daniel (Cassie) Doemel of Antigo, and Olivia Krause of White Lake; 2 great-grandchildren, Declan James Popelka, and Coralynn Doemel; a sister, Joyce Hoffman of Merritt Island, FL; a brother-in-law, Frank (Linda) Szitta of Bryant; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 7 siblings, Edna Popelka (in infancy), Raymond Popelka, Hazel Engstrom, Alice Seal, Helen Winters, Wallace "Wally" Popelka, and Phyllis Popelka. A funeral service will take place at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in White Lake on Thursday, August 1 at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Kelly Smith will officiate. Visitation will take place at Strasser-Roller Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 31 from 3:00-7:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. A second visitation will take place at the church on Thursday from 10:00 until the time of services. Interment will follow the service at Elton Cemetery, with graveside military rites presented by White Lake area veterans. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the White Lake Historical Society, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, or to the family for establishment of a Kenny Popelka Memorial Scholarship for White Lake High School.