B. JoAnn (Schmidt) Popielski

B. JoAnn (Schmidt) Popielski was born on May 22, 1930 in Belle Fourche, South Dakota and grew up in the Black Hills, SD area. After training at Black Hills Teachers College, she worked at the South Dakota School of Mines until she adventurously moved across the country with a friend.  They settled in South Bend, where she met Daniel Popielski. They married on December 26, 1957 and shared 60 years together until his passing on January 16, 2018.

JoAnn was employed as a secretary until resigning to selflessly devote herself to raising her family.  She was a wonderful mother and grandmother to her 4 children, Andrea Popielski (Joe Urbanski), David Popielski, Gail Popielski West and Kurt Popielski; and 6 grandsons, Adam Urbanski (Dana Reilly), Taylor Urbanski, Andrew Popielski, Barry West (Miriam), Thomas Popielski and Garrett West. She was also an avid reader, a talented seamstress and enjoyed gardening. Her steady, quiet presence was our anchor, and she will be greatly missed.  

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents, Josephine (Kapsa) and August Schmidt, and a sister, Phyllis Kaufmann, a son-in-law, John VanNevel and daughter-in-law Christine Popielski.  In addition to her children and grandchildren, she is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

The family thanks Heart to Heart Hospice and Memorial Hospital’s 10th floor staff for their care of JoAnn in her final weeks.  Per her wishes, there will be no visitation.  She will be cremated and laid to rest in South Dakota.   Zahoran Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.  To leave an online condolence, please visit www.zahoran.com or our facebook page Zahoran Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to Heart to Heart Hospice.

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