Delores M. Popma, 96, Sanborn

A celebration of life service for Delores M. Popma and her son, Ken E. Heitritter, was held Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at First Reformed Church in Sanborn. Pastor Mark Ellens officiated.

Pallbearers were Delores’ grandsons: Wray R. Wright, Heath Wright, Nolan Wright, Buckley Wright, Jason Heitritter, Adam Heitritter, Chad Heitritter, Branden Heitritter and Kenny Heitritter. Honorary pallbearers were Delores’ beloved granddaughters. Interment was in Baker Township Cemetery at Melvin. Sanborn Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.

Delores Mae Popma, daughter of Ivan Kenneth and Freda Marie (Klever) Dather, was born Aug. 22, 1928 in Melvin, the oldest of six children. She attended public school at Melvin and graduated in 1945 at the age of 16. She furthered her education at Sheldon Junior College, and taught in the country school system in Osceola County for two years.

Delores was united in marriage to Carol Heitritter in 1948. They became the parents of Kenneth, Paul, James, Rachel and Todd. The marriage dissolved in 1968, at which point Delores and the two youngest children moved to Sanborn.

Delores enrolled at Northwest Iowa Technical College in Sheldon in pursuit of a clerical degree. In 1970, she was employed as deputy clerk of District Court in O’Brien County, a position she thoroughly enjoyed until her retirement in December 1993. Four months later she was hired by Northwest Iowa Community College to institute a new program entitled “Volunteers for NCC.” Initially her role in the program was slated for about 12 months; instead, it evolved into another enjoyable job that lasted over 20 years.

Delores married Norman J. Popma, of Scotland, S.D., in 1972, and they divorced in 1986.

Delores was a member of First Reformed Church in Sanborn as well as the American Legion Auxiliary in Melvin. She was currently volunteering at the Treasure Chest in Sheldon.

Delores loved to laugh. She was a Certified Clown named “Bubbles,” entertaining young and old alike in community parades and events. She loved attending her children and grandchildren’s activities and was very proud of each of them. She also enjoyed gardening, fishing, dancing, theatre, traveling and lots of music. Delores had been a vocal soloist at many weddings and funerals in the area, always thankful to God for the gift of her musical talents. She was also a wonderful cook, sharing her recipes and homemade cuisine with her family.

Delores passed from this life on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at the age of 96 years. She is once again reunited with her parents; her son, James “Jimmy”; grandson-in-law, Cory; siblings: Doug Dather, Marilyn Ocando, Gari Dather and Ramona Baker; and her two husbands: Carol Heitritter and Norm Popma.

She is survived by her children: Ken (Ellie) Heitritter, of Port Charlotte, Fla. (who died the day after Delores), Paul (Joyce) Heitritter, of Melvin, Rachel (Wray J.) Wright, of Whiting, and Todd (Anita) Heitritter, of Archer; 19 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sister, Sandra (Fred) Eichorn; and sister-in-law, Colleen Dather.