Details
About Dorothy Mae (Bartels) Poppe
Born October 4, 1937 to Irving and Merna Mae Bartels in Fond du Lac, WI at St. Agnes Hospital. Dorothy was born dancing with songs in her heart. Young childhood photos usually showed her happily moving feet. She sang publically at age 3 at her Aunt and Uncle’s 50th Wedding Anniversary.
Her family farmed in Plainfield, WI. The family farmhouse was destroyed by fire when she was 5 years old. Friends and neighbors rallied to help and support the family especially during this time. Dorothy enjoyed 4H camps and entering her sewing in competitions at the county fair. At 9, she learned to play piano. She was a talented soprano for her Tri County High School choir and played in the marching band as well. She was active in her church in singing solos. She especially loved singing, O Holy Night. She went on from HS to Stout State for home economics.
During her time at Stout, she met her husband Ken. They were married on December 21, 1957 in Almond, WI. While Ken was stationed as a Marine in Beaufort SC, their first son, Chuck, was born in 1959. After the Marines, they moved to Neenah, WI where their son Scott was born in 1962. The family lived in Neenah while raising the 2 boys.
Dorothy worked at First National Bank in Appleton, Kampo Trucking, Nasco, The Left Guard Supper Club, and Miller Electric. Ken and Dorothy moved to Appleton in 1987. Dorothy ran Poppe Advertising Specialties after the founder, Ken’s step-father, died. Dorothy volunteered and was President of Altrusa of Appleton. She also chaired a major Anniversary celebration for Trinity Lutheran in Neenah. She shared a love for polka music with her husband Ken and together they organized a successful polka fest fundraiser for Altrusa of Appleton which ran for over 20 years. They spent their retirement years in Arizona, moving west in 1996.
Dorothy was preceded in death by husband Kenneth. Survived by two sons: Charles “Chuck” Poppe and partner Steve Sells from Denver, Colorado; Scott Poppe and his wife Nancy Poppe, Grandson Johnathon Poppe and Granddaughter Stacy Poppe from Phoenix, Arizona; sister Diane Bartels from Wild Rose, Wisconsin. Sister-in-law Diane Bartels, Wild Rose, Wisconsin.
Services Saturday, November 15, 2025
King of Kings Ev Lutheran Church
812 N Meridian Rd.
Apache Junction, AZ 85120
Visitation: 10:30am Service: 11am
Reception immediately following at the church.
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
7 comments
Karen Schley
Thoughts and prayers for comfort and peace to the Poppe family. Dorothy will be missed by many, but is now reunited with Ken and her Lord. Sorry I cannot attend her funeral, but I will be there in thought. God’s blessings to you!
LAVADA Langreck
My deepest sympathy to Dorothy’s family. We always had great visits & she will surely be missed. My husband Del Langreck was laid to rest yesterday. Hugs LaVada Langreck
Janice Tranberg
My Deepest Sympathy to the family your Mom was a special lady always working for organizing things for Polka Music also taking care of Ken I will always remember her beautiful smile and how they enjoyed having company. She will be missed.
Mike and Connie Thull
Our sympathy to Dorothy’s family! Ken will greet you with open arms to once again dance in heaven to the music of all the musicians you followed for so many years together that have gone before you!
Arl Carlson
Dorothy, you will be missed. We missed having you at the Altrusa Polkafest in the last years. Your last visit here in 2019, I think it was, was enjoyed by many while the polkafest was held at New London due to a scheduling conflict. When you were moving to AZ., and closing down your printshop, I bought a printer from you to print my polka newsletters that I wrote for 33 years. God Bless you on your journey to heaven, as you will surely meet Ken there and see him once again.
Arl Carlson
Dorothy, you will be missed. We missed having you at the Altrusa Polkafest in the last years. But, none for about 5 years. Your last visit here in 2019, I think it was, was enjoyed by many while the polkafest was held at New London due to a scheduling conflict. When you were moving to AZ., and closing down your printshop, I bought a printer from you to print my polka newsletters that I wrote for 33 years. God Bless you on your journey to heaven, as you will surely meet Ken there and see him once again.
Mary Becker
Thoughts and prayers r with u and family.Enjoyed viviting with u and ken planing on seeing u when i come down in jan.Got call from your daughter in law u had passed away,gonna miss u lady