Phyllis M. Popp

Obituary

Phyllis M. Popp was born November 27, 1924, in Spring Valley Minnesota.  She was the daughter of Henry and Lila (Utzinger) Ellenberg. Phyliss has three siblings, Elaine, Earl and Beula. She was baptized by her uncle, Reverend Earl Utzinger and was raised and confirmed at Sumner Center Evangelical Church. She attended country elementary school by horseback and then graduated from Spring Valley High School in 1942.    

During World War II, she worked as a secretary in the pentagon. Her first marriage resulted in the birth of her first child Cheryl. She remarried in 1959, to Donald Popp and moved to his farm in Hutchinson Minnesota. Her son Scott was born in 1960.  

Phyliss was a loving homemaker and mother. In her later life she worked for Richard Larson Builders in the sales department.

She was always active in church life and spent over 50 years dedicated to a membership at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Hutchinson, and volunteered in many capacities. Phyllis was a Christian with an active prayer life for others.  

Throughout her life she was a wonderful musician, and learned the piano on her own. She could play almost any hit song from her era by ear and had a wonderful singing voice.   

Phyllis passed away peacefully several months after being diagnosed with a serious illness at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson, Minnesota on August 21, 2016, at the age of 91 years.   She will be dearly missed. 

Phyllis is survived by her:
Husband, Donald Popp of Hutchinson, MN;
Daughter, Cheryl Friedman of Edina, MN;
Son, Scott Popp of Casper, WY;
Grandchildren, Craig Clay, Max and Chase Popp;
Great Grandchildren, Mathew, Jacob, Josh and Tyler Clay;
Great Great Grandchildren, Wyatt and Parker Clay;
Sister, Elaine Webb of Spring Valley, MN;
Many Nieces, Nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded by her Parents, Lila and Henry Ellenberg; Siblings Earl Ellenberg and Beula Anderson.