Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, IA, Tuesday, March 24, 1931, pg. 1, col. 5

MARRIED AT MAMMEN

William Popken and Esther Osterbuhr Are Joined in Wedlock

William Popken, of Craig, and Esther Osterbuhr, of Grant township, were united in marriage March 19 in Grant township. The ceremony was performed by Rev. J. D. Meyer, pastor of Christ Lutheran church at Mammen.

The attendants were Elmer Popken and Frances Osterbuhr, brother of the groom and sister of the bride.

The young people are popular members of the community in Grant township. They will make their home on a farm.

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LeMars Daily Sentinel, IA, Friday, October 15, 2004

Esther Popken

Esther Popken, 91, of Le Mars, died early Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2004, at Brentwood Good Samaritan Center in Le Mars.

Esther Osterbuhr was born Dec. 24, 1912, on the family farm in Grant Township, the daughter of Gerd and Gertie (Dirks) Osterbuhr. Esther was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church, Grant Township. She attended country school at Grant #8 School.

Esther was united in marriage to William Henry Popken on March 19, 1931, at Christ Lutheran Church. The couple farmed until 1967 when they moved to Le Mars. While living on the farm, Esther had worked for Gene's Processing and also at Floyd Valley Broilers in Le Mars. While living in town, Esther worked for Westmar College until her retirement in 1983.

Esther was a lifelong member of Christ Lutheran Church where she belonged to the Faith Circle and the W.E.L.C.A. She enjoyed crocheting, gardening, quilting, baking, reading, going fishing and camping.

Survivors include four sons, Romain and Ardis Popken of Hinton, Gary and Shirley Popken of Brandon, S.D., Rodney Popken of Oak Harbor, Wash., and Bill and Diane Popken of Vinton; three daughters, Jenean and Robert Lesher of Mesa, Ariz., Barbara and Paul Kunkel of Moville, and LeeAnn and Larry DeHaan of Orange City; 22 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William Popken on July 11, 1994; a son, Varrel Popken; a grandson and great-grandson; five sisters and six brothers.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Christ Lutheran Church, Grant Township, rural Le Mars, with the Rev. Dan Gerrietts officiating. Burial will be in Resthaven Memory Gardens Cemetery, rural Le Mars. Visitation will be after 3 p.m. Sunday at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars, with a prayer service at 7 p.m.