Michael 'Mike/Poe' Popelka, 25 May 1957 - 05 Jan 2025

POPELKA, YANCY, MASANZ, STULL, COPPING, SEMLER, OSBORN

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 1/15/2025 at 13:51:22

Michael Popelka, 67, of Kalona passed away on January 5, 2025.

A gathering for family and friends will be held Thursday, January 9, 2025 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service.

Mike was born on May 25, 1957 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Roland and Ruth (Yancy) Popelka. He grew up in Belle Plaine, where he graduated high school before starting his career as a land surveyor.

Mike married Debra Masanz on May 30, 1998 in Iowa City.

He enjoyed woodworking and renovation projects and most recently spent his free time painting. Mike’s greatest joy in life was his family, especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Deb Popelka of Kalona, children Cassidy Popelka (Tyler Stull) of Marengo, Amy (John) Copping of Kalona, and Ryan Semler of Iowa City, grandchildren Ayla and Freya Stull, and Zander and Quinn Copping, sister Patti (Mike) Osborn, and his beloved cat Fluffy.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents.

Published on Lensing Funeral Home website, an abbreviated version was published in The Gazette on January 7, 2025.