Eleanor L. Popkes

Rock Rapids, Iowa

Eleanor Louise Popkes (Metzger) 84 of Rock Rapids, IA passed away on Monday, July 13, 2026 at Lyon Specialty Care in Rock Rapids, IA.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 16th, at the Apostolic Christian Church in Lester, IA. Burial will follow in the Apostolic Christian Church Cemetery at Lester, IA.

Visitation will be Wednesday, July 15th, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. with the family present at the Apostolic Christian Church Fellowship Hall in Lester.

Memorials may be directed to the Popkes family for later designation.

Arrangements are in the care of the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids, IA.

Eleanor was born on July 25, 1941, to Jacob & Elsie Metzger at her family farm west of Rock Rapids, IA.

Eleanor was the third of ten children. Eleanor attended country school at Cleveland #1 through 8th grade and then went on to Rock Rapids High School graduating in 1959. After graduation she spent time working at Lyon County Bank in Rock Rapids.

Eleanor married Edward Jr. “Eddie” Popkes on September 19, 1964, at Bethel Reformed Church near Ellsworth, MN. They began their life together on Eddie’s family farm & their first three sons, Greg, Jeff & John, were born during that time. In 1968 they relocated to Alexandria, MN and operated Ed’s Shady Elms resort on Lake Mary. Three more sons, Gary, Chad & Wade, completed their family. On September 11, 1972, Chad passed away in a drowning accident. Eddie worked in the off season for a construction company and passed away from a work accident on March 6, 1973. Eleanor then sold the resort and moved with her boys to Rock Rapids to be close to her family.

Eleanor was baptized and became a member of the Apostolic Christian Church in Lester, IA on September 21, 1980. Her deep faith and the fellowship she enjoyed as a part of that faith sustained her throughout her life.

Through the years Eleanor delivered newspapers for the Argus Leader, mowed lawns and thrived on baking–she was especially known for her delicious homemade angel food cakes. Eleanor had a true servant heart and strong work ethic. She spent many years caring for and loving on her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a very devoted mother and grandmother and will be truly missed.

Eleanor is survived by her sons, Greg (Lori) of Rock Rapids, IA, Jeff (Tara) of Sioux Falls, SD, John (Karmin) of Rock Rapids, IA, Gary (Laura) of Harrisburg, SD and Wade (Shelly) of Rock Rapids, IA; seventeen grandchildren; twenty-five great grandchildren; Siblings, Gene (Dolores) Metzger of Rock Rapids, IA, Dale (Chris) Metzger of Silverton, OR, Barbara Reutter of Rock Rapids, IA, Bill (Charlotte) Metzger of Rock Rapids, IA, Marvin (Joleen) Metzger of Rock Rapids, IA, Jane (Wayne) Klotzle of Marshallville, OH; brothers-in-law, Jim Moser of Beaver Creek, MN, David (Jill) Peasley of Rock Rapids, IA, Lloyd Massner of Sperry, IA, Allen Popkes of Edgewood, NM; sisters-in-law, Pearl Jamison of Boulder, CO, Marvella Anderson of Brandon, MN and LaDon Bushnell of Naperville, IL; step-brother, Donn (Joyce) Moser of Rock Rapids, IA; step-sister, Beth (Gary) Metzger of Larchwood, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; Jacob & Elsie Metzger; her stepmother, Donna Metzger; her husband, Eddie Popkes; her son, Chad Popkes; sisters, Linda Moser, Mary Massner, Margene Peasley and an infant sister, Eileen; brothers-in-laws, Alfred Reutter and Lammert “Bud” Popkes; and daughter-in-law, Betty Popkes.