Sylvia Poppinga

Sylvia J. Poppinga, 83 Services for Sylvia Poppinga, 83, will be Saturday, October 24, at 11 AM at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Melcher-Dallas. She passed away October 20, 2009 after a lengthy illness with COPD (a lung disease). Family will receive friends on Friday from 6 to 7 PM at the funeral home. Memorials to the Melcher-Dallas Fire Department. Online condolences may be left at www.pierschbacherfuneralhome.com . Sylvia was born July 17, 1926 in Humboldt, Iowa to Randle and Dollie Vinson Bennett. She graduated from East High School in Des Moines in 1944. She married Charles Poppinga on December 22, 1946 and they were blessed with three children: Jim, Kathy, and David. A homemaker all of her married life, Sylvia busied herself with cooking, gardening, sewing and all those wonderful activities that go along with being a great mom and wife. She enjoyed traveling with Chuck around the United States. They made their home in Dallas for sixty-one years and were proud of their community; supporting many of its activities and organizations She enjoyed nature, especially those times when they would pick black raspberries, mushrooms, walnuts, and hickory nuts. Sylvia loved to read, do puzzles, watch game shows, play cards and go to Jarsma Bakery. Sylvia was preceded in death by her husband Charles in 2001 after 54 years of marriage; 5 siblings: LaVerne Bennett, Harlene Clark, Lucille Rigg, Millie Jensen Ripperger and Ralph Bennett. She is survived by her children: Jim Poppinga of Ellicott City, MD, Kathy (Dan) Ripperger of Indianola, David (Penny) Poppinga of Nyssa, OR; grandchildren: Katie Jo Ripperger and James Ripperger; great grandchildren: Alyssa and Jay; sisters in law: Janet Mathes and Mary Mitchell; brother in law Herb Johnson of St. Mary's, MO; and many nieces and nephews. Thank you to Home Health Care, Barb Tate, Greg Kennedy and to the 4-H Club for assisting with many of her chores at home. The family would also like to express a deep appreciation to Gene and Pam Mathes and to Delores Teas for the many ways they demonstrated their love and friendship.