Roger Poppen

Sibley, IA

Roger Poppen age 94 of Sibley, Iowa died Friday, April 18, 2025, at Osceola Senior Living in Sibley, Iowa.

Visitation will be Sunday, April 20th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 21, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church in Sibley, with Pastor Chris Lemmon and Pastor Jordan Geffre officiating.

Burial will follow in the Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley, with military honors by the George E. Mudge American Legion Post No. 324, William F. Allard VFW Post No. 7373.

In place of flowers, the Poppen family prefers memorials, which they will later designate.

Roger Louis Poppen was born March 31st, 1931, to parents Henry and Marie (Harms) Poppen on a farm two and a half miles west of Sibley, Iowa. The Model T and the horse and buggy were prevalent then. When Roger was 11 months old, his family moved to the current farm, where he lived the rest of his life. He attended Holman Township #5 Country School through 8th grade and then graduated from Sibley High School in 1949. During his school years, Roger played trombone in the band; was active in 4-H and FFA, where he served as Sibley FFA president and as district officer; and raised purebred Poland China hogs. After graduation he began farming with his father, worked at the Sibley Locker during the winter months, and helped various farm neighbors.

During the Korean War, Roger enlisted in the United States Navy, where he would go on to be stationed at the Naval Air Station in Agana, Guam, and serve for four years aboard the troop transport ship GEORGE CLYMER. Throughout his service, he spent time in the Pacific Ocean and the area around Korea. After his last tour of duty at the Naval Air Station in San Diego, California, he was honorably discharged on January 17th, 1956, with a rank of Petty Officer First Class.

After being discharged from the Navy, Roger resumed farming northwest of Sibley. He married Marilyn Estes on June 23rd, 1957; and they had four children, all of whom were raised on the same farm. Even though Roger retired from farming at the age of 72, he didn’t give up his passion. He continued to help his son Dennis farm for many years, with his final harvest being in the fall of 2021.

Throughout his life, Roger was active in the Sibley First Presbyterian Church, where he served as Sunday School Superintendent, Elder, and Deacon and taught Sunday School for over 50 years. He sang in the choir, was a member of the Married Group and the Prime Timers, and played on the First Presbyterian slow-pitch softball team. His faith in Jesus Christ was very important to him; and he wishes that all of his children, grandchildren, and friends share that faith.

Roger served the community as a member of the County ASCS Committee, the Hospital Board, the Sibley-Ocheyedan School Board, and the REC Board of Directors. He also served as Osceola County Farm Bureau President and voting delegate and was a Township Trustee for over 50 years. For several years during the winter months, Roger helped with income tax preparation at E.H. Philiph Law Office. And in addition to farming, he worked for Jurrens Funeral Home for over 25 years, a job that he wholly enjoyed.

Outside of work and community service, Roger enjoyed watching sports and was even named the Sibley-Ocheyedan Athletic Boosters' Fan of the Year for 2001-2002. He also enjoyed traveling and was able to visit many places during his life, including Europe four times, Israel, Argentina, Hawaii, Alaska, and a majority of the continental United States. But most of all, Roger enjoyed spending time with his family.

Roger is survived by his wife, Marilyn Poppen; his children: DyAnn (Tom) Schmiedt of Papillion, Nebraska; Dennis (Michelle) Poppen of Sibley, Iowa; Amy (Ivan) Kuennen of West Des Moines, Iowa; and Lisa (Larry) Findley of Glidden, Iowa; his grandchildren: Kristin (DJ) Smith, Shelby Schmiedt, Brittney (Nick) Mahowald, Rachel Poppen, David Poppen, Ben Poppen, Isaac Kuennen, Abby Kuennen, and Alise Kuennen; his step-grandchildren: Callie Findley-Garrels and Keagan (Caitlyn) Findley; his great-granddaughter Aero Smith; and his step-great-grandchildren Aubree Garrels, Araya Garrels, Forrest Findley, and Everley Findley. He also leaves behind a sister, Judy (Arlen) Baerenwald, a brother-in-law, Joe Estes, as well as three nieces, four nephews, and many cousins.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Marie Poppen; brother and sister-in-law, Duane and Joan Poppen; nephew, Jonathan Poppen; step-grandson, Eric Findley; in-laws, Tracy and Mary Estes; and sister-in-law Ida Estes.