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Viola Popma

Lead Summary

Viola “Vi” Popma, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, went to heaven on April 29, 2023, at the Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne, Minnesota.
Viola was born July 9, 1927, to Adam and Johanna (Max) Muehlbeier in Bon Homme County, South Dakota. She attended eight years at the Ochsner Country School and graduated in 1945 from Scotland High School.  She was married to Lester Popma on January 15, 1947, until his passing on January 15, 2003, their 56th wedding anniversary.
Viola lived at West Winds in Scotland, South Dakota, until December 2, 2021, when she moved to Luverne to be closer to her granddaughters, Michelle (Dennis) Munk and Paula (Cory) Bloemendaal. Residents and staff at the Mary Jane Brown Home will remember her as a fun and feisty lady who, on occasion, would entertain them by playing the piano “by ear” at 95 years old.
Viola was an active member of the United Methodist Church, Red Hats, Scotland Community Choir, and loved volunteering her God-given talents with music and piano at church and the Good Samaritan Center. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, butterflies, bowling, golf, and there was always music in her life.
Viola moved to West Winds Apartments in 2010 and loved spending time there with her many friends over the years. She always looked forward to visits from her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. This was her joy as many miles separated the family but they always remained close.
Viola was preceded in death by her husband, Lester Popma; her parents; sister Charlotte and brother-in-law Elton Thum; three brothers-in law and two sisters-in-law.
Survivors are brother Lester Muehlbeier and Shirley of Scotland; children, Larry Popma and Venita of Arizona, Pam Bell and Dennis of Missouri, Cindy Brown and Wayne of South Carolina; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren.
A private celebration of life will be held at a future date and burial will be at Rosehill Cemetery in Scotland. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been set up; checks, cash and memorials can be mailed to the following address: LJMH Foundation, 600 Billars Street, Scotland, SD 57059; please note “in memory of Vi Popma.”

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