in memoriam

expanded eulogies

Thomas Poppe

Thomas Vernon Poppe, 67, passed away Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, at the University of Kansas Hospital after a short illness.

Tom was born in Herington, Kansas, the eldest child of Vernon and Ruth Poppe. He graduated top of his class from Centre High School in 1968. He was awarded a Summerfield scholarship to the University of Kansas, where he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in accounting. He spent his entire career in Kansas City working in the tax accounting field.

Tom had a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh. He would never hesitate to lend a helping hand. Tom loved traveling and was a very loving and supportive son, brother, father, and grandfather.

Tom married Carol Lynn Engel of Leawood, Kansas, in 1982. He is survived by his wife and children, Kevin Thomas Poppe and wife, Jen; David Lee Poppe and wife, Sarah, and their children, Abigail and Owen Poppe; and Katherine Ruth Tarr and husband, Will. He is additionally survived by his mother, Ruth Velzke Poppe of Clay Center, Kansas; brother Wayne Arthur Poppe and wife, Connie, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and their children, Andrea, Matthew, and Nathan; and his sisters, Marsha Jean Koster and husband, Ron, of Clay Center, Kansas, and their children, Jamie, Brett and Megan; and Janelle Margaret Poppe of Olathe, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his father, Vernon William Poppe, and father-in-law, Dale Lee Engel.

A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 220 W. 6th St., Lincolnville, Kansas, with burial immediately following at Lincolnville Cemetery.

Additionally, there will be a Celebration of Life from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 9100 Mission Road, Prairie Village, Kansas. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations supporting the KU School of Business, made out to KU Endowment, P.O. Box 928, Lawrence KS 66044 or online at www.kuendowment.org/givenow,or Wayside Waifs, 3901 Martha Truman Rd., Kansas City MO 64137 or online at www.waysidewaifs.org.

Arrangements by Signature Funerals, (816) 214-5174, www.signaturefunerals.com.