August 12, 1951-June 11, 2023

Parents: Elizabeth and Neal Popelka (both deceased)
Spouse: Sabeha (Khan) Popelka
Children: Trisha and Brett Miller, Megan and Matthew Buttz
Grandchildren: Jackson Buttz, Tyson Miller and Baylor Buttz
Siblings: David and Mary Popelka, Diane and Lyle Gingerich and Janet and Dale Thorne

Now you know the basics, here's the good stuff.

Ask his grandkids about him and they will say this; He was a good dude and was pretty funny. He was a great Poppa and we will miss him. He created good fishing memories with all of us. He would always have candy or chocolate willing to share with all of us. He was good at woodworking and made the Lincoln Logs for us. He would build Lincoln Logs with us.

Ask his sons-in-law about him and they will say this; He was a man that would never work on a Sunday or federal holiday and would get really mad if work was being done on these particular days. He was willing to help with anything. "Toddy time" meant put the tools down, stop working and it was time to relax. He had wit, humor and great culinary skills. He was the grand master of Trivial Pursuit.

Ask his daughters and they will say this; He was big on nicknames and you could consider yourself lucky if you got more than one. He enjoyed a good whisky and water on the rocks and a well-cooked pork chop. He may have been the one to come up with "showing up" for people. As he did for his us growing up, he would show up often for his grandkids' sporting events. He never shied away from a good nerf gun or water gun battle. His answer was always "yes" to help out with transporting grandkids and feeding them whenever needed. He never let us leave without a hug, kiss on the head and an "I love you, kid."

Ask his wife and she will say this; He was a loving, kind, well-liked man. He was a good husband. He will be missed very dearly.


He was taken from us too soon and much too quickly. No extra amount of time would have been enough. We love you and miss you already so much. Rest easy, big guy.

A visitation will be held at Grandon Funeral & Cremation Care (414 Lincoln Way, Ames Iowa, 50010) on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Memorial Services will be held at Grandon Funeral & Cremation Care on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.

Online condolences can be made to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com