Elvin Bernell Popkes

Elvin Bernell Popkes was born September 20, 1938 in What Cheer, Iowa to F. Bert and Rena Popkes. He was the third of 5 children, including his sister Barbara, and brothers Donald, Jim, and Roland. They moved to Cedar Falls, Iowa where he graduated from State College of Iowa, now UNI, and served in the Iowa National Guard.

He moved to Minneapolis, MN in 1963 to work as Production Manager at Opportunity Workshop, a position he held for 25 years. He met Sandra Swenson at Bethlehem Baptist Church, and during the year they were engaged, he designed and built a home for them in Burnsville, Mn. There they were blessed with two daughters, Susan Marie and Sheryl Lynn. His love of remodeling and building homes was a big part of the family’s life there in Minnesota. A move in 1987 to Modesto, CA brought a new vocation as a business owner and the joy of fellowship and service at Big Valley Community Church.

Another move in 2013, brought them to the lovely Summerfield community in Tigard, OR and closer to their daughters and their families. Elvin went to be with the Lord on May 11, 2023 after a nine year gradual journey into dementia, having been cared for by his loving wife. He is survived by Sandy, his daughters, their husbands, Jeff Kraakevik and Mick Silva, 5 grandchildren, Peter, Ellie, Molly, Charlotte, Amy, nieces and nephews and his three brothers and their wives. Special thanks to Washington Gardens Memory Care and Providence Hospice for their kind and compassionate care for the last few months. Internment at a later date at Pleasant View Cemetery in Arlington, Iowa.

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1