Cleland W. Popke, age 96, New London, passed away on Thursday, January 24, 2019.
He was born on October 2, 1922 in New London, son of the late Walter and Orma (St. Thomas) Popke. Cleland served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII in the South Pacific. On August 23, 1947, Cleland was united in marriage to Dora (Mansee) Kratzke in Hortonville. She preceded him in death in 2002. He lived in the New London area his entire life and worked at farming, the Plywood, the Edison and Curwood for many years. Cleland’s favorite hobbies included bowling, woodworking, gardening and doing jigsaw puzzles.
He is survived by his daughters, Cheryl (Ken) Krause, New London and Faye (Glenn) Marks, Hortonville; stepdaughter, Lorraine (Keith) Stern, Northport; 16 grandchildren: Jennifer Krause, Brad (Mandy) Krause, Cindy (Matt) Grow, Chad (Erin) Krause, Jodi (Justin) Slominsky, Andrew (Amy) Marks, Bobbi (Allen) Ostermann, Kristi (Tom) Hager, Kenneth (Shelly) Stern, Peggy (Tom) Theama, Sue (Chuck) Borelli, Kelly Hancock, Ellen (Dave) Daberkow, Linda (Mark) Smith, Brian (Lori) Daberkow and Lana Daberkow. Cleland is further survived by son-in-law Harold (Mildred) Daberkow, two sisters-in-law, Jean (Ed) Gorman and Gloria Popke, numerous great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brother Chester; sisters, Charity Kargard and Dorothy Teschendorf; an infant brother Eugene; stepdaughters, Yvonne Daberkow, Karen Kratzke and good friend Marion Mathewson.
Funeral services for Cleland will be held on Monday, January 28, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church in New London with Rev. Marcus Schulz officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be in the Floral Hill Cemetery, New London. Cline & Hanson Funeral Home in New London is serving the family. www.clinehansonfuneralhome.com