Viola L. Popma

Viola Popma, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, went to heaven on April 29, 2023, after spending her final years at Mary Jane Brown Nursing Home in Luverne, MN.  Viola was born July 9, 1927 to Adam and Johanna (Max) Muehlbeier in Bon Homme County, SD. She attended 8 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.

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, cross-word 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 stayed close. 

Viola was preceded in death by her husband, Lester Popma; her parents; sister, Charlotte and brother-in-law, Elton Thum; 3 brothers-in law and 2 sisters-in-law.

Survivors are brother, Lester Muehlbeier and Shirley of Scotland; son, Larry Popma and Venita of AZ; daughters, Pam Bell and Dennis of MO and Cindy Brown and Wayne of SC; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and 1 god-son, Duane Dean.

A private celebration of life will be held at a future date and burial will be at Rosehill Cemetery in Scotland, SD. 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.”

Memorials are being accepted by the LJMH Foundation, in Memory of Vi, by mail (1.) or online (2.)

1. Checks can be mailed to the following address: LJMH Foundation, 600 Billars Street, Scotland, SD 57059.  The memo of the check would need to say “in memory of Vi Popma” so we know where to apply it.

2. Below are the instructions for the online giving option.  It is critically important that Landmann-Jungman gets typed in as shown in step 1.  Also, it shows in step 1 that the button “where the greatest need” needs clicked.  That is correct.  It is important that her name be listed in step 2 as shown below so it gets applied correctly for this memorial.  The other steps are not listed, but prompts individuals to enter their card number.  It is very easy to navigate. The website is: www.Avera.org/donate