Marilyn Ruth Popp (nee Meier) of Beaver Dam, age 85, passed away peacefully at home on March 1, 2023. Marilyn was born on the family farm on April 11, 1937 to Henry and Alma (nee Krueger) Meier in the township of Scott, Merrill, WI. She attended St. John’s Lutheran School and graduated from Merrill HighContinue Reading
Marilyn Ruth Popp (nee Meier) of Beaver Dam, age 85, passed away peacefully at home on March 1, 2023.
Marilyn was born on the family farm on April 11, 1937 to Henry and Alma (nee Krueger) Meier in the township of Scott, Merrill, WI. She attended St. John’s Lutheran School and graduated from Merrill High School in 1955. She continued her education at the University of Wisconsin, Madison earning a B.S. degree in 1959. Marilyn worked on campus as a waitress at the Memorial Union; she also worked at a dormitory cafeteria where she met her best friend and love of her life, Bill. Her college summers were spent working at a resort in Woodruff, WI as a dining hostess and waitress. She was always thankful for the job opportunities that helped make her college education possible. On October 24, 1959 she was united in marriage with William G. Popp at St. Casimir’s Catholic Church in Newton, WI. Marilyn worked for 17 years as a teacher’s assistant in the Beaver Dam Unified School District and for the Beaver Dam Eye Study #Four from 2003 to 2006. Marilyn was a member of WEA, BDAAA, BDACT, NOW, League of Women Voters, and the Democratic Party. Marilyn was well-informed on current events, an avid reader, excellent cook, good seamstress, well-organized homemaker, and an enthusiastic Brewer and Badger fan. Marilyn was an active member of Sacred Heart Parish in Horicon, WI.
Marilyn will be dearly missed and live on in the hearts of her husband, Bill, and daughters, Laurie (Michael) Pierce of St. Charles, IL, Kathleen (James) Kokal of Plano, TX, and Patricia (Peter) Pokrandt of Madison; nine grandchildren, Matthew (Naomi) Pierce of Deerfield, IL, Jennifer Pierce of Chicago, Jeffrey Pierce of Milwaukee; Elizabeth Kokal of Champaign, IL, Allison Kokal and Laura Kokal of Plano, TX; Jessica (Sean) Bull of Verona, Nathan Pokrandt and Kelsey Pokrandt of Madison; three great-grandchildren, Ella, Micah, and Mia Pierce. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Joan Meier, Nancy Meier, Faye Meier, Jeanette Pekarske, and brothers-in-law Robert (Betty) Popp, Joseph (Mary Beth) Popp, and many nieces and nephews.
Marilyn was the last leaf on her family tree and was preceded in death by her seven older brothers, Robert (Willa), John (Lois), William (Gertrude), David (Jane), Ralph, Kenneth, and Leroy and one sister, Elinore.
A special thank you to Dr. Seth Barudin and staff at UW Health for their excellent and compassionate care over the years.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 8, at 10:00 AM at Sacred Heart Parish, 950 Washington Street, Horicon, WI, with a Mass of Christian Burial at noon at the church. Inurnment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Parish, P.O. Box 27, Horicon, WI 53032.
Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.koepsellfh.com.
Anonymous
left a message on March 8, 2023:
Sally Litka
left a message on April 27, 2023:
I’m saddened to learn of Marilyn’s passing. She and I shared similar political and spiritual views and I enjoyed wonderful conversations with her when we ran into each other. She was a beautiful soul!
Mike Wissell
left a message on March 20, 2023:
Sorry to hear of Marilyn's passing. I will always remember Marilyn as a cheer leader for the Blew Inn Softball team. Prayers go out to Bill and family in this time of reflection.
Woody Knoll resident
left a message on March 10, 2023:
Our sympathies to the family. So sorry for your loss.
John and Theresa Sharkey
left a message on March 8, 2023:
Our deepest sympathy to you Bill, and your family. Marylyn was such a wonderful person she will be deeply missed. Sending our, thoughts and prayers.
Marilyn VanHaren
left a message on March 7, 2023:
My sincere condolences to the family of Marilyn Popp. Cherish all od the special memories. Sending many prayers
She will be remembered by so many students and their families through her work at Lincoln School.
John Meier
left a message on March 6, 2023:
So sad to hear of your loss….
So many good memories that I cannot begin to process.
In all of them she was kind and funny and laughing.
You all have my sympathies, and she will be in my thoughts.
Anonymous
left a message on March 6, 2023:
Anonymous
left a message on March 6, 2023:
Jackie Burke
left a message on March 5, 2023:
I knew Marilyn best through her work with the Democratic Party of Dodge County. She was there whenever we needed her. She was passionate and tireless: organizing literature for canvasses, providing food for fund raisers, helping to staff our offices, attending events. I am sorry for your loss. She will be sadly missed.
Anonymous
left a message on March 4, 2023:
James Meier
left a message on March 4, 2023:
So sorry for your loss. Peace and comfort to the family. So many memories of visits to Beaver Dam. She and Bill always made us feel welcome no matter how long it had been between visits. Always enjoyed listening to her reminisce about Merrill in general and Sonny Boy number two in particular at reunions. End of an era.
Anonymous
left a message on March 4, 2023:
Steve Meier and Miriam Klevan
left a message on March 4, 2023:
We are so sorry for the loss of Aunt Marilyn. We have so many great memories of reunions and gatherings with her and the rest of the extended Meier family. May her memory be a blessing to you as it will be to us.
Jill, Justin, and Mark Patchin
left a message on March 4, 2023:
Sending our deepest sympathy to Uncle Bill and your family on the passing of Aunt Marilyn. You will be in our prayers. Jill (Leroy’s granddaughter), Justin, and Mark Patchin
Anonymous
left a message on March 3, 2023:
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Anonymous
left a message on March 8, 2023:
Sally Litka
left a message on April 27, 2023:
I’m saddened to learn of Marilyn’s passing. She and I shared similar political and spiritual views and I enjoyed wonderful conversations with her when we ran into each other. She was a beautiful soul!
Mike Wissell
left a message on March 20, 2023:
Sorry to hear of Marilyn's passing. I will always remember Marilyn as a cheer leader for the Blew Inn Softball team. Prayers go out to Bill and family in this time of reflection.
Woody Knoll resident
left a message on March 10, 2023:
Our sympathies to the family. So sorry for your loss.
John and Theresa Sharkey
left a message on March 8, 2023:
Our deepest sympathy to you Bill, and your family. Marylyn was such a wonderful person she will be deeply missed. Sending our, thoughts and prayers.
Marilyn VanHaren
left a message on March 7, 2023:
My sincere condolences to the family of Marilyn Popp. Cherish all od the special memories. Sending many prayers
She will be remembered by so many students and their families through her work at Lincoln School.
John Meier
left a message on March 6, 2023:
So sad to hear of your loss….
So many good memories that I cannot begin to process.
In all of them she was kind and funny and laughing.
You all have my sympathies, and she will be in my thoughts.
Anonymous
left a message on March 6, 2023:
Anonymous
left a message on March 6, 2023:
Jackie Burke
left a message on March 5, 2023:
I knew Marilyn best through her work with the Democratic Party of Dodge County. She was there whenever we needed her. She was passionate and tireless: organizing literature for canvasses, providing food for fund raisers, helping to staff our offices, attending events. I am sorry for your loss. She will be sadly missed.
Anonymous
left a message on March 4, 2023:
James Meier
left a message on March 4, 2023:
So sorry for your loss. Peace and comfort to the family. So many memories of visits to Beaver Dam. She and Bill always made us feel welcome no matter how long it had been between visits. Always enjoyed listening to her reminisce about Merrill in general and Sonny Boy number two in particular at reunions. End of an era.
Anonymous
left a message on March 4, 2023:
Steve Meier and Miriam Klevan
left a message on March 4, 2023:
We are so sorry for the loss of Aunt Marilyn. We have so many great memories of reunions and gatherings with her and the rest of the extended Meier family. May her memory be a blessing to you as it will be to us.
Jill, Justin, and Mark Patchin
left a message on March 4, 2023:
Sending our deepest sympathy to Uncle Bill and your family on the passing of Aunt Marilyn. You will be in our prayers. Jill (Leroy’s granddaughter), Justin, and Mark Patchin
Anonymous
left a message on March 3, 2023:
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