Eleanore Popp

Eleanore Jean (LaFrenz) Popp, 85, of Hayfield, passed away at her home in Hayfield on May 1, 2018.

Eleanore was born on July 29, 1932, in Durant, Iowa, the daughter of Albert and Marga (Pagels) LaFrenz. Her parents both immigrated from the Island of Fehmarn, Germany. Eleanore was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith. She was raised and educated in Cedar County Country Schools and Tipton High School in Tipton, Iowa. Eleanore grew up on the farm in Cedar County, Iowa, and in 1953, moved with her parents to Dexter.

June 12, 1953, she was united in marriage to Maurice Popp from Bennett, Iowa. At this time, they moved back to Rockwell City, Iowa. Eleanore was a telephone operator and repair service clerk for General Telephone for 20 years until the closing of the office. Eleanore and her husband later moved to Hayfield. She then went to Vo-Tech in Rochester and graduated as an unit secretary and worked at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus for 20 years until retirement. The couple moved to Hot Springs, S.D. In 2007, Eleanore moved back to Hayfield.

Eleanore was involved in 4-H, taught Sunday school and vacation Bible school. She loved reading, music, and quilting. She made many quilts for the Pine Ridge, S.D. Native American Reservation and for her churches and the American Legion Auxiliary. She loved traveling and in 1987, had the privilege of going to Hamburg, and the Island of Fehmarn, Germany, to visit her mother's family.

Eleanore had no children, but she and her husband enjoyed their nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. She kept in touch with friends and family through email. Eleanore was also a caregiver to her parents, husband, brother and other family members. One of her greatest moments was when she was able to see nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews graduate from high school and go to college and see one of them graduate from college.

One of the greatest quotes passed on to Eleanore at the age of 10, was by her mother. It was "Jesus sees everything you do and the Lord is always with you." That is what carried her through the difficult times of her life. Her favorite Bible story was "The woman at the well."

Eleanore is survived by her brother, LeRoy LaFrenz, Hayfield; sister, Lorna Lauinger, Hayfield; nephews, Tony McGee, Curtis Lauinger, Jim Lauinger, and Tom Lauinger; and nieces, Melissa Barth, Janet Lauinger, and Cathy Lauinger; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Maurice Popp in 2003; sister, Dorothy McGee; infant sister, Alberta Velma LaFrenz; brother-in-law, Robert Lauinger; and sister-in-law, Bonnie LaFrenz.

Memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 104 First St. SE, Hayfield, with the Rev. Paul Hauschild officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service Saturday at the church. Inurnment will be in Fairview Cemetery in Hayfield.

In lieu of flowers, family prefers memorials to Camp Companion Pet Rescue.

Blessed be her memory.