Edward R. ‘Eddie’ Pophal, 91, of the Town of Scott, passed away Saturday, June 27, 2015 at his home under the care of his family and his favorite nurse ‘Cookie’.
Eddie was born January 4, 1924, in the Town of Scott, son of the late Otto G. and Estelle (Weber) Pophal. He married Virginia L. Zemke on September 13, 1947. She preceded him in death on November 23, 1988. Eddie was a very hard worker. He took his first job working as a farm hand for a few years on Albert Ritter’s farm. He then got a job at the former Ritter Lumber Company in Merrill. Eddie could tell many stories about life at the saw mill. He started his own Can Milk Route in 1956 and maintained this Route for 15 years. He could tell you about all of his experiences there and about all of his lifelong friends he made there. After he sold the Milk Route, Eddie then became a Professional Logger for the Woods Crew at the former Owens Illinois Paper Company of Tomahawk. He retired from this position at the age of 62. Eddie truly loved the outdoors and was very proud of his favorite tractor “Hank” and his caterpillar “Johnny”. He always said they made work so much easier than it used to be. Eddie enjoyed hunting until age 89 and also fishing with Judy in his younger years. He spent most of his time at the ‘Honeymoon Lodge’ in the Town of Harding. Eddie enjoyed taking care of this property, making fire wood and pulp, making maple syrup, taking care of ‘Lake Ginny’, and raising his beautiful gladiolas and prize winning gardens. He also enjoyed raising rutabagas to feed his favorite deer name Muffy and Puffy. Eddie and Ginny were extremely hard working individuals. Together they built two homes for the family: one in the Town of Merrill and one in the Town of Scott. Eddie did all the carpenter work and Ginny did all the finishing work on both homes. Some of his greatest attributes were his talent and being inventive. He was always had new ideas and was looking for a better way of doing things. Eddie was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill.
Survivors include his daughter, Judy Doering (Rich Fenhaus) of Gleason; four grandchildren, Paul Neumann of Gleason, Brandi Neumann (Joe Waldvogel) of Merrill, Adam Neumann (Katie King) of Wausau, and Blake Neumann (Amy McCaslin) of Merrill; three great-grandchildren, Lilli, Ginni, and Dino W.; one sister, Delores Riebe of Sacramento, CA; and one sister-in-law, Nancy Pophal of Eagle River. Ed was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Pophal; his parents, Otto and Estella Pophal; his son-in-laws, Wayne Neumann and Norbert Doering; his sisters, Gertrude (Harold) Neubauer, and Mildred (Norman, Sr.) Schult; his brothers, infant Raymond Pophal, Harold Pophal, and Paul Pophal; and his brother-in-law, Bruce Riebe.
A private funeral service will be held. The Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, is assisting the family with arrangements.
June 21, 2015
Dear Grandpa,
This goes out to the only man who has been in my life the whole time. Never left me and always cared for me. He taught me how to respect a woman and how to treat them, and taught me how to work like there is no tomorrow. I will never forget all the things you have done for me. Thank you Grandpa, the best man Alive. Happy Father’s Day! Love, Adam