Donald Popp

Obituary

Donald Popp was born June 5, 1924 in Acoma Township to Walter and Edna Popp. He was baptized in the Evangelical Church of Hutchinson by Reverend Getze and received religious instruction by Rev. E. A. Warner for Confirmation.  He attended Country School in district 58 and graduated High School in Hutchinson, Minnesota in 1941. During WW II he farmed with his father.

Don was married in 1959 to Phyllis Ellenburg of Spring Valley, Minnesota by the Rev Harold Utzinger in the Presbyterian Church of Eyota, Minnesota. Phyllis’s daughter Cheryl joined the family at this time and they continued to live and farm in Hutchinson, Minnesota.  Scott was born in 1960.   

Don was in business partnership with his brother throughout his life with farming, egg, sawmill and pallet production. As a lifelong farmer Don had a fervent compassion for the land, soil, trees and animals.  He believed strongly in small organic sustainable farming and registered his farm as organic in the late 1980's.

Don was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved spending time in the woods or on a lake.  As a lifelong member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church, he loved singing in his church choir and did so for 60 years.  Don donated much of his time to community services throughout his life. Don donated over 22 gallons of blood, served on the Hutchinson School Board for 24 years, served on the McLeod County Soil Conservation Board for 15 years, the Home Administration Board for 3 years and was a Farm Bureau member for 40 years. Don loved playing sports and was active playing in tennis, softball, volleyball and bowling leagues.

Don was a kind and gentle man, always greeting people with a smile and never spoke ill of others. He was a humble and simple man and was in tune with the land and nature around him. He enjoyed giving his delicious vegetables, fruits and apples to his friends, neighbors and church members. He leaves a legacy to be admired of stewardship of his farm. Many of his friends have followed his loving example of organic farming and land stewardship. The trees and earth of his beloved farm truly mourn the passing but will rejoice in knowing his remains will be reunited with them.  Don will be immensely missed by his family, friends, and his farm.

Don passed away on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at Ecumen Oaks in Hutchinson, Minnesota, at the age of 92 years.

Blessed be his memory.

Don is survived by his:
Son, Scott Popp and his wife, Lisa, of Caspers, WY;
Step-Daughter, Cheryl Friedman and her husband, Jim, of Edina, MN;
Grandchildren, Craig Clay, Max and Chase Popp;
Sister, Gwen Bentley of Red Wing, MN;
Many other relatives and friends.

Don is preceded in death by his Wife, Phyllis (Ellenberg) Popp and his Brother, Willard Popp.