Larry Dean Poppe, 85, of Lincoln, died Nov. 24, 2022. Larry was born August 18,
1937, in rural Byron, and was the youngest of 10 children of Carl and Frieda (Peters) Poppe.
He was raised on the family farm, attended a country school, and graduated from Ruskin High School. After graduation Larry enlisted in the United States Navy and began his distinguished career in uniform.
Between duty assignments, Larry was introduced to the love of his life, Connie Carlson of Lyons. They were married at Bethel Lutheran, Omaha in November 1959. Larry and Connie’s early life as a Navy family took them to Japan, Virginia and then San Diego, Calif., welcoming two daughters along the way. Larry was a quiet, dignified family man, and member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, who frequently served as an Elder or Officer in the congregations he was a member.
Larry’s twenty-one-year distinguished career in the Navy, spanned five continents and many countries and islands including Vietnam, resulted in many medals and honors before retiring as a Lieutenant (LDO). He went to National University, San Diego, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a BBA in Quantitative Science while starting his second career with the Department of Defense. Larry retired after another 20 years of service, concluding with the Defense Information Systems Agency in Washington, D.C.
Even though his careers took him away from the farm, Larry could usually be found mowing, clearing brush or grating roads on his Kubota tractor at his homesites, his church, or for friends.
This was especially true when Larry and Connie retired and built a home on property near Pensacola, Fla. Throughout his careers and into retirement Larry used his knowledge and talent for tax preparation, working for H & R Block for over 25 years. The couple eventually returned to Nebraska to be near family.
Larry is survived by his wife Connie; daughters Marla (Bill) Gould, Kristin (Craig) Norman; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Carol Poppe; numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and -nephews, great-great-nieces and -nephews, and great-great-great-nieces
and -nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, nine siblings and other relatives, and great-grandson, David Gould.
A funeral service was held Nov. 29 at Roper and Sons South Lincoln and interment
Dec. 9 at Omaha National Memorial Cemetery at Gretna. Memorials in lieu of
flowers to Christ Lincoln, 4325 Sumner Street, Lincoln, NE 68506 or Tabitha Foundation 4720 Randolph St., Lincoln, NE 68510.
