Obit: Poppe, Donald (1927 - 2015)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
 
Surnames: Calbaum, Gay, Kalepp, Klabon, Laabs, Martinson, Poppe, Schoelzel

----Source: The Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 4/24/2015

Poppe, Donald "Bud" (23 MAY 1927 - 22 APR 2015)

Donald "Bud" Poppe, age 87 of Withee, peacefully passed away, Wednesday, April 22, 2015, at Clark County Health Care Center, surrounded by his family.

Bud was born on May 23, 1927, in Centralia, WA, the son of Daniel and Maude Poppe. At the age of one his family moved to Grundy, VA, and at the age of nine his family moved to Withee, WI.

He attended Withee High School until 1946, when he enlisted into the United States Navy. After serving one year in the service he returned to finish his senior year of high school and graduated in the spring of 1947. Bud co-owned and operated Withee Oil Company until the time of his retirement in 1984. During his retirement he started working at Meadowview Country Club, where he took pride keeping the fairways and greens ready for play. He loved playing numerous rounds of golf, where he also played on league for many years which his team took first place last season.

On September 25, 1948, he married the love of his life, Dorine Laabs at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Green Grove. They were happily married for 67 years. They had five children, Paulie (Larry) Klabon, Ron (Karen) Poppe, Josie (Ron) Schoelzel, Lori (Rich) Poppe and Dan (Dawn) Poppe.

Bud was a lover of gardens and birds, hunting, fishing and golf. Spending many of his days enjoying the great outdoors. He was an avid family man, especially sharing these passions with his children and grandchildren. There have been many years of hunting and fishing trips which always ended with a great game of sheephead and storytelling. He also was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church.

Bud is survived by his loving wife, Dorine; one sister, Opal Martinson of Phoenix, AZ; 14 grandchildren, Missy (Geoff), Lisa (Dan), Larry (Danyal), Lonny (Tonya), Troy, Rick, Angie, Shawn (Mandy), Eric (Kati), Christina (Jeff), Vaughn (Kelly), Gretchen, Joe and Jason. 19 great-grandchildren, Gregory, Christopher, Michael, Jennifer, Trenton, Olivia, Lincoln, Carter, McKinley, Alison, Derrick, Kaitlyn, Cody, A.J., Alexis, Briar, Taylor, Braylon and Myla.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel Poppe and Maude Calbaum, his sisters, Delia Gay, and Versal Kalepp, and a special friend his grandson, Nick Schoelzel.

A celebration of Bud's life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 25 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Withee, WI. Visitation will begin at noon.

The Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com.