Raymond M. Popowski, age 85, of Ivanhoe, MN passed away on Saturday, August 9, 2024 peacefully at his home in Ivanhoe. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 16, 2024 at St. John Cantius Catholic Church in Wilno, Minnesota. Burial will be in the St. John Cantius Catholic Cemetery, Wilno. Visitation will be 4 – 7 p.m. with a 7 p.m. Prayer Service with Rosary to follow on Thursday, August 15, 2024 in the Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Ivanhoe, MN and will resume Friday one hour prior to the service at the church. The Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Ivanhoe is handling the arrangements.
Raymond Michael Popowski was born August 19, 1938 in Royal Township, Lincoln County, MN. He was one of six children born to Anton and Ladislia (Citterman) Popowski. Raymond was raised in the Ivanhoe, MN area where he attended boarding school in Wilno and later obtained his GED. He was united in marriage to Phyllis Sik on June 23, 1959 at St. John Cantius Catholic Church in Wilno, MN and to this union three daughters were born, Mary, Carol and Becky. Raymond continued to farm until he became employed at Great Plains Supply. He also managed Ivanhoe Hardware Hank Store, worked at the Birk Funeral Home and Houseman Funeral Home, Lincoln County, the City of Ivanhoe and for Larry Sterzinger. On June 23, 2019 Phyllis passed away. Raymond continued living at their home in Ivanhoe and remained active in the Ivanhoe Community where he attended community activities and helped whenever he was needed. Raymond passed away on Saturday, August 10, 2024 peacefully at his home at the age of 85. He was a life-long member of St. John Cantius Catholic Church in Wilno where he served as an altar boy, usher, CCD teacher, and lector. Raymond was an officer for the Knights of Columbus for 27 years and proud to be an election judge and clerk for the Royal Township for over 50 years. He was an avid sportsman and organized a local Rod and Gun Club. He passed his love for the great outdoors onto the next generations by teaching Firearm Safety classes and taking his daughters, grandchildren and family friends hunting and fishing.
Grateful for having shared Raymond’s life are his two daughters: Carol (Randy) Wersal, Ivanhoe, MN and Becky Popowski, Stockton, CA; two granddaughters: Sarah (Nate) Rud and Heather (Lafe) Gildemaster; six great grandchildren: Grace, Bjorn, Reagan, John, Tzeitel and James; siblings: Karolyn Sik, Martin Popowski and Norbert Popowski; sisters-in-law: Jeanne Popowski and Roseanne Popowski; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Phyllis, daughter Mary, parents, and two siblings: Paul and Leonard Popowski.
