Clarence LaVerne Poppe, 92, a resident of Ocean Shores, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, at Harbor Regional Health in Aberdeen, Washington.
Clarence was born on Feb. 25, 1932, in Hebron, Nebraska to Emil C. and Johannah (Peters) Poppe. He was 1 of 10 children. While the kids were still young, the family moved to Spokane, Washington where Clarence graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 1950.
He married Rosalie “Rose” Markham on April 13, 1957, at Grace Lutheran Church in Spokane. Clarence and Rose were blessed with 5 children. Clarence worked for a time at Pacific Northwest Alloys until it closed, after which he joined the Teamsters Union spending his career as a truck driver. In 1989, Clarence and Rose moved to Western Washington, living in Seattle, Puyallup then Oakville.
In 1999, Clarence retired and the couple settled in Ocean Shores where he used his talents to build structures to enhance the garden which Rose created. During retirement, they traveled extensively in their motorhome, exploring every Continental state as well as Canada and Mexico.
Clarence was a member of the Elks Lodge of Ocean Shores where he enjoyed volunteering, sharing meals and playing bingo. Key to his longevity, Clarence could be seen on his multiple daily walks, greeting local dogs and neighbors along the way.
Clarence is survived by his children: Douglas (Dorothy) Poppe, of Spokane, Washington; Jill (Kevin) Loveall, of Sammamish, Washington; and Dale (Carol) Poppe, of Molalla, Oregon; sisters: Darlene (Vern) Johnson and Carol (Dick) Phelps, both of Spokane, Washington; and 4 grandchildren: Connor, Braden, James, and Jodi; as well as many extended family and friends.
Clarence is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Rosalie; children, Michael and Karen, who passed in childhood; parents, Emil and Johannah; brothers: Edwin (Sadie), Louis (Marcella), and George (Jackie); and 4 sisters: Esther (Otto), Erna (Ernie), Alice (Marvin), and Lorene (Henry).
The family wishes to express their appreciation for the love, friendship and care which Clarence was so blessed to receive from the amazing community in Ocean Shores: the Elks Lodge members who were so important to him; the neighbors whom he could count on for friendship and assistance; and the exceptional staff at local restaurants who welcomed him. Many times, Clarence expressed his good fortune to have known so many extraordinary people and the kindness he experienced within the community.
A Memorial and Celebration of Life will be held at the Elks Lodge in Ocean Shores on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at 4 p.m. Please leave a memory or note of condolence for the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in Clarence’s honor may be made to the Washington Elks Therapy for Children program (https://waelks.org/what-we-do/therapy/donate/) a charity Clarence avidly supported.
Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Washington.
