Charlene Poppen

Charlene “Char” Poppen

Charlene Yvonne (McKee) Poppen was born on October 26, 1936 to Arthur and Blanche (Roe) McKee in Hayti, South Dakota. Char had fond memories of her childhood. She attended her early years of school in Hazel, South Dakota and her final two years at Castlewood High School where she graduated in 1954. She also began dating her future husband, Melvin “Mel” Poppen during her senior year of high school.

After graduation, Char attended an airline school in Omaha, Nebraska and then moved to St. Paul, Minnesota in April 1955 where she worked as a flight payroll clerk for Northwest Airlines. She moved back to Castlewood the following spring to be closer to her then fiancé Mel and began working at the Grain Elevator in Castlewood as a bookkeeper. Char and Mel married on September 29, 1956 in Castlewood.

Beginning in May 1957, Char lived with her family in Starbuck, Minnesota as Mel was stationed in Germany with the Army for twenty months. Once Mel returned, the couple resided in Watertown, South Dakota, where their children, Lisa and Timothy were born.

In 1972, Char, Mel and family moved to Kandiyohi, Minnesota and ran a small grocery store named Mel’s Market for a couple of years. Their family then moved to Willmar, Minnesota in 1976. Char began working at Willmar Medical Center in 1977 and worked there for 24 years. In 2001, Char and Mel moved to Lino Lakes, Minnesota to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Throughout the years, they enjoyed attending their children’s and grandchildren’s music and athletic activities.

Church was always important to Char even as a small child. Char remembered watching her Grandma Martha Roe read the bible daily. She also valued her parent’s honesty and kindness that they would show to others. No matter where they lived, Char and Mel made it a priority to be connected to a church. Char and Mel loved volunteering especially teaching toddlers (2 and 3 year olds) at First Baptist Church in Willmar and listening to children recite bible verses at Living Faith Church in Circle Pines.

On Monday, May 19th, 2025, Char passed away peacefully at the age of 88 years old. She enjoyed 68 years of marriage to the love of her life, Mel. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, baking, writing notes/letters of encouragement to others, walking and embroidering. Her personal relationship with Jesus was very important to her as she would spend time daily in the word and in prayer. Char and Mel also enjoyed watching Minnesota sports teams, especially the Twins.

Char is survived by her husband, Mel; her two children, Lisa (John) Turner of Lino Lakes, Minnesota and Timothy (Tonya) Poppen of Fridley, Minnesota; one sister, Linda Pittman of Watertown, South Dakota; six grandchildren, Benjamin (Becca), Andrew, Brynne, Emily, David (Alyssa) and Luke; two great grandchildren, Charlotte and Elisabeth. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Douglas McKee, David McKee, Larry McKee and Loren McKee.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 30, 2025 at Living Faith Church, 10101 Lexington Avenue North, Circle Pines, Minnesota. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Private interment at Incarnation Cemetery, Lino Lakes. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Arise Ministries, PO Box 9130, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55109.