Lynell Dewayne Popham

Lynell Popham, 88, of Florence died Tuesday morning, July 2, 2019 at Jenkins Living Center in Watertown.

Visitation will take place on Friday, July 5, 2019 from 4-6PM with a Liturgical Wake service beginning at 6PM all in the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church at Florence.  Visitation will continue Saturday morning 1 hour prior to services at the Church in Florence.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 10:30 AM in the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church at Florence with The Reverends Ken Koster and Daniel Smith concelebrating.  Burial will follow in the Esterly Cemetery near Florence.  Lynell's grandchildren should consider themselves as the casketbearers.  Music will be presented by Carolyn and LeeAnn Maag.

He was born Lynell DeWayne Popham on July 13, 1930 at Watertown, the son of Harry and Theresa (Maag) Popham.  Lynell attended school at the Prairie Queen Country School through the 8 ^th grade.  He helped on the family farm near Hazel.

On February 4, 1956 he was united in marriage to Anna Mae Janssen at St. Henry's Catholic Church in Henry.  The couple farmed for many years.  He owned and operated Watertown Beverage Company for a few years as well.  Anna Mae died on September 15, 2014.

Lynell served a 2 year stent in the United States Army during the Korean War.  In his free time he enjoyed fishing and hunting, especially ducks.

He was a longtime faithful member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church at Florence and recently attended weekly Mass at Holy Rosary Catholic Church at Kranzburg.

Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife, a son Richard, a son-in-law, Vince Rauen, brothers Jerald & Phillip Popham and a nephew Michael Popham.

Grateful for having shared in his life are his children, David (Sandy) Popham of Kersey, CO, Kenneth (Theresa) Popham of Webster, Jeff (Tracy) Popham of Henry, Patty Rauen of Goodwin, and Lori (Paul) Kraai of Watertown; 8 grandchildren, Krista (Martin) Prouty, Newt, Taylor, Samantha, Tannor, and  Karyssa Popham Colter Zellner, and Tucker Popham, and great-grandchildren, Mason & Maverick Popham.  He also leaves a sibling, Gene (Marlys) Popham of Watertown, a sister-in-law, Nelda Popham of Hayti and a very special friend Shirley West of Florence.

Memories of Dad

Dad was never afraid of hard work but made sure there was plenty of fun involved. The following are some of the lasting memories throughout the years:

As kids, Dads beer warehouse was an unending game of hide and seek and hanging on to the two wheel cart racing around the stacks of beer boxes. Both will always be a favorite. Dad and Mom opened their home for years to our friends, friends of friends and anyone else that couldn't make it home when the bars closed. We never knew who we would be stepping over the next day.

Every year Dad never wanted to miss celebrating the birthday he shared with Frenchie Fuerstenau by hosting a major weekend party in his backyard. It was equipped with a cattle tank, bathtub or whatever it took to house the beverages. Jean and Frechie invited Mom and Dad to Branson, MI for a vacation every year. Even though they were from Oklahoma that never stopped this close relationship that took their travels from Florida to Phoenix.

Growing up as kids there was rarely a Sunday that was missed that Jim & Dorthy Wensing would stop after church for a beer, or two, to make plans for the day. It would consist of the famous pinnacle game that went on all afternoon while us kids played.

Our first camping trip we took was with all the Popham relatives heading to the Big Stone cabins, it was complete with lots of laughs, plenty of fishing and a few blood suckers. We were so excited when Dad told us we were taking another camping trip to the Missouri River with Jerald's family. We got to take turns going in the boat with Dad and Jerald. As night fall came we anticipated going to a hotel. To our surprise our "hotel" was sleeping in the car, pickup and even throwing a tarp on the ground (hoping a rattlesnake didn't decide to join) to house both families. Even though it was a redneck trip, it was most memorable and fun.

Since Patty was single, Dad hated to see her drive out to Missoula to work by herself. So he was going to be her chauffeur. Dad had a need for speed so many times it was not uncommon that the speedometer would go out of sight especially since Montana didn't have a speed restriction. On the way home, Dad got to sharing stories of his parties as a kid. We laughed so hard we were crying. He always said the best time of his life was when he was playing baseball in his younger years. He was the best road trip buddy.

Dad was a very giving man however, was never one to "mess around". Always in a hurry which even included driving to Colorado to see Dave & Sandy to pick up a load of onions, maybe sleep for a few and be home the next day. Only to give most of the onions away. He also made the annual trip with Jim & Dorothy to pick up forestburg melons, you know that was one road trip that included more laughs than all of us will ever realize. Dad & Jerald even had their own yearly run to Big Stone to get bullheads. In later years he made multiple runs to Dimock to pick up cheese. Dads generosity not only shined through to continue to want to provided for his family but for friends and even strangers. Dad would find any excuse to be able to drive around in his Ford pickup.

Even night fishing was an event. Dad was so mischievous about giving away his fishing spots. The lights had to be off and as Ken and Dad were driving through the pasture of hills to get to the lake, Dad would say "this is good…(Ken brakes to park)…BUT DON'T USE THE BRAKE, SOMEONE MIGHT SEE!" That same place also involved plenty of duck hunts through the years. Not only did this pasture provide loads of fun but also hard work and endless, ENDLESS, hours of picking gum weeds by hand. We couldn't stop until the box was full but the upside, as a little kid, was being able to drive Dads pickup.

Dad enjoyed putting Jim on the edge of his seat. At Waubay Lake while fishing, the boat was leaking water. Dad instructed Ken to drive while he went to the back of the boat and pulled the plug, all while Jims eyes got big and he clenched the side of the boat. Zipping along trying to drain the water, all of a sudden, SAND BAR. They did eventually get back moving in the water and Jim did let the side of the boat go.

Dad brought the party with him wherever he went, no matter what age he was. He and his Uncle Tom hit the Stockman's each morning, upon retirement his coffee party moved to his house for whoever wanted to stop in to enjoy some of Moms baked treats. Once we lost Mom, coffee moved to the Wheel Inn in which they all had become like his family.

Mom and Dad did everything together. However, there was always a hidden competition, who would get the bigger fish. As Dad was pulling in his almost 20 lb northern out of the ice hole, it was a family affair to get it. Patty insisted it get mounted. Mom piped in, hers was bigger a few weeks earlier and they ended up eating it. Dads proud angler hangs on the wall today.

Some of Dads notable sayings will forever be heard:

"You know what, you're right."

"Don't break it off, you gotta get the root!"

"Only thing is, it's not a Ford."

"Ah, they got a mess down there!"

"Ya, I'll have another cup."

"Well, I better get going before it gets dark."

"Why didn't you bid higher!? Well, the trumps all gone."

"How much cheese do you have left? You mean you don't have that gone yet!?"

"There's a beer in the fridge, help yourself."

"You're right, He was a good one."

"I guess I don't have any news, what do you know?"

"I'll just sit right here, you learn more from listening."

"Got that done with"

"You ain't a kiddin'"

Arrangements are with Furness Funeral Home of Clark where there is an online registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com .