Mary Popelka

Mary Catherine (Kieffer) Popelka passed away Saturday, April 7, 2012 at her home in Belleville. Mary was born on a farm outside Palmer, Kansas on April 12, 1928 to Joseph and Catherine (Le'Cuyer) Kieffer. She later moved with her family to Clifton, Kansas, Clyde, Kansas, a farm near Aimes, Kansas and then to Belleville, Kansas. Mary graduated from Belleville High School in 1947. After attending summer classes at Fort Hays State College, Mary, at the age of 17, began her teaching career in one room schools. She taught in the following schools: Odell, Prairie Home, Kunkel, and Central. She ended her teaching career to marry Stanley J. Popelka on May 24, 1952 at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Belleville, Kansas. They began their married life on the family farm just northeast of Belleville where they would live until 1984 until they semi-retired and moved to Belleville. To his union, nine children were born: James (and wife Wendy) Popelka, Belleville; Charles (and wife Jean) Popelka, Munden; Rosemary (and husband Dan) Wehkamp, Ingalls, KS; David (and wife Anita) Popelka, Salina, KS; Christine (and husband Morris) Wilber, Belleville; JoAnne (and husband Mike) Langley, Beatrice, NE; Steve Popelka, Jones, OK; Beth (and husband Andy), Joplin, MO; and Fr. Joseph Popelka, Manhattan, KS. Mary's vocation in life was raising her children (and grandchildren) and taking care of her home. In the early 1960's Mary began teaching religious education in the Church. She retired after 33 years in the mid 1990's. She enjoyed her faith and sharing it with others through prayer groups and leading prayer services at the nursing homes in Belleville. She was active in 4-H with her children as well as teaching cooking classes for several years. She also served on the Diocese of Salina's Religious Education Council. She is survived by her children, 23 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and her siblings: Theresa Baxa, James Kieffer (wife Dixie), David Kieffer (wife Diana), Ann Danielson (husband Elwin), Marilyn Wilson, and Marge Walker. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Fr. Henry Kieffer, John Kieffer, Tom Kieffer, Judy Meis, Joseph Kieffer, and Jane Kieffer. Funeral services along with her husband of 60 years will be held 10:30am Monday, April 9, 2012 at St. Edward Catholic Church, Belleville, Kansas with Father Joseph Popelka officiating. Burial will be in St. Katherine Cemetery rural Belleville. Memorials may be made to the Mary C. Popelka Memorial to be established at a later date. Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville, Kansas. A Vigil / Rosary service will be 7:00pm Sunday at St. Edward Catholic Church