GREENE — Laura M. Merfeld Popes, 99, Greene, died Thursday, Oct. 31, 2002 at New Hampton Care Center, New Hampton.

A Funeral Mass was held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 4 a t St. Mary's Catholic Church, Greene with Rev. Msgr. Walter Brunkan officiating.

Burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery, Greene.

Visitation was 2:30-4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Greene where there was a 4:30 p.m. Vigil Service.

Laura Mary Merfeld was born Aug. 21, 1903 in rural Butler County, the daughter of Matthias and Mary (Brunner) Merfeld. She attended rural country school until eighth grade and then Mount St. Clare Academy in Clinton. On Oct. 11, 1927 she was united in marriage to Carl J. Popes at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Greene. Laura was an avid gardener and seamstress and enjoyed crocheting, tatting, quilting, knitting and spending time with her family. She was a member of the Guilds, Catholic Daughters of America, Archdiocese Council of Catholic Women and held offices in several of them.

Survivors include three daughters, Mary Mahoney and Rita (Charles) Swinton, both of Nashua and Delores (Sister Carla) Popes, PBVM, Dubuque; one son, Glen J. (Billie) Popes, West Long Branch, NJ; a daughter-in-law, Sandra Popes, Grundy Center; 21 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; two great greatgrandchildren; one brother, Vern Merfeld, Greene and one sister-in-law, Edna Merfeld, Osceola.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Carl, in 1988; a daughter, Patricia Shimek, in 1996; a son, Howard, in 2000; a son-in-law, James Mahoney, in 2001; one grandchild; two great-grandchildren and seven brothers, Roy, Ed, George, Clyde, Henry, Harry and Rev. Howard Merfeld.

Memorials may be sent to the Laura Mary Merfeld Popes Memorial Fund or Spiritual Offerings in care of the family.

Source: New Hampton Tribune; Nov. 5, 2002 Page 4
from Elma library collection assembled by Marian (Marr) McGee
Transcribed by ABBYY FineReader® 12, Adapted to the Web by Bill Waters