Marcella M. Popelka

Marcella M. Popelka (Szitta) of the Town of Evergreen, passed away on February 15, 2022 at The Bay at Eastview, at the age of 80. Marcella was born November 3, 1941 in Antigo to the late Frank and Marcella (Dallman) Szitta. Marcella grew up on her parents’ dairy farm southeast of Bryant. She attended Malcolm School, a one room school, warmed by a coal furnace and lacked indoor plumbing. She was a graduate of Antigo High School class of 1959. During high school she was a member of Latin Club and Girl’s Athletic Association. She served as class president her senior year. She attended Sunday School at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Polar where she was also an active member of the Walther League, participated in plays, youth gatherings, assisted with vacation Bible School, sang in the church choir, and helped serve church dinners. On June 25, 1960, she married the love of her life Kenneth Popelka at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Polar. She continued dairy farming alongside Kenny and their family. He preceded her in death on July 28, 2019. Marcella was a homemaker and also worked at Antigo Milk Plant, Brettingen & Preboske Accounting, and served as clerk for the Town of Evergreen. In her caregiving spirit, Marcella was an EMT for Troutland Rescue, and when her health deterred her from acting as an EMT she took over the financial tasks for Troutland Rescue. Marcella was a faithful and active member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church. 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 K. Popelka of Sturgeon Bay, Daniel (Cassie) Doemel of Antigo, and Olivia Krause of White Lake; 3 great-grandchildren, Declan James Popelka, Graham Tiernan Popelka, and Coralynn Doemel; brother, Frank (Linda) Szitta of Bryant; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 25 at 11:00 AM at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in White Lake. Reverend Kelly Smith will officiate. Visitation will be Thursday, February 24, 2022 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Strasser-Roller Funeral Home with a prayer service at 6:30PM. Visitation will also be held on Friday at the church from 9:00 AM until the service. Interment will be in Elton Cemetery. Memorials in memory of Marcella may be directed toward St. Matthew Lutheran Church (138 Bissell St, White Lake, WI 54491), White Lake Historical Society (PO Box 92, White Lake, WI 54491), or White Lake School (PO Box 67, White Lake, WI 54491).