Leland "Lee" Edward Poppen, age 83 of Willow Lake, passed away on October 2, 2026 with many of his loving family members by his side.
The Celebration of Life service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 12, 2026 at Lake Gospel Church in Willow Lake, with fellowship and a meal immediately following the service. The service will be livestreamed via the Crawford-Osthus website.
Visitation will be Sunday, October 11, 2026 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Spirit Lake Presbyterian Church, Spirit Lake. Burial at Spirit Lake Cemetery after Fellowship.
Lee was born on July 13, 1943 to Edward and Ruth (Rusche) Poppen. Outside of spending time in Arizona when he was younger, Lee spent the majority of his childhood growing up on the family farm in Spirit Lake, S.D. with his three siblings.
Lee attended elementary school at Shady Lawn Country School and graduated from De Smet High School in 1961. Throughout his education, Lee attended Northern State University, South Dakota State University, the University of South Dakota and the University of Arizona, where he earned various degrees in education and administration. During the course of his 40 years in education, Lee served in various coaching, teaching, principal and superintendent capacities in Arlington, S.D.; Sierra Vista, Ariz.; Carthage, S.D.; Isabel, S.D.; and Willow Lake, S.D. Lee made a lasting impression and positive impact on so many students, staff and community members throughout his career, and he was honored to be able to serve in these communities. Once Lee retired as superintendent of the Willow Lake School District, he went back to work on the family farm.
Lee married Linda Losey in the fall of 1965; to that marriage was born daughter Michelle. Lee later married Kathleen Hylle on November 7, 1975, and to that marriage was born David and daughter Nicole. Lee was the epitome of a family man; a devoted husband, a loving and supportive father and a proud and dedicated grandfather.
Lee was a devout Christian and remained active in the church and community choirs. Lee was active in each of the communities he lived in and enjoyed attending the sporting events, music concerts, plays and programs that the communities provided.
During his spare time, Lee could be found spending time with his friends and family, working on cars, tinkering in his shop, riding his Harley, hunting, fishing and camping in the hills.
Grateful for sharing his life are his wife Kathleen "Kathy", daughter Michelle "Shelly" Poppen, son David "Dave" Poppen and daughter Nicole "Niki" Youmans; grandsons Aksel Youmans and Ivan Poppen; along with his brothers Richard (Linda) Poppen and Curtis (Eva) Poppen, sister Patricia Meagher, brothers-in-law John (Cheryl) Hylle, Richard (Sue) Hylleand brother-in-law Robert (Linda) Hylle; and many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Ruth (Rusche) Poppen; parents-in-law David and Dolores (Ernesti) Hylle; brothers-in-law James Hyelle and Daniel Hylle; and sister-in-law LuAnn (Hylle) Newberg.
Arrangments entrusted to Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com
