Lola Jean Popken

It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Lola Jean Popken. She died at home on June 4th, 2025, at the age of 96. Lola faced many health challenges in her final years, which she bore with grace, fortitude, and resilience.  Since moving to Colorado in 1996, Lola lived in Golden, Highlands Ranch, and most recently in Englewood’s The Belleview Senior Living community.  Family was all important to Lola; she heralded their successes and was their strongest advocate in difficult times.  She is survived by her husband of over 70 years, Lavern J. (L.J.) Popken; sister Elizabeth Fouts of Highlands Ranch CO; son Lt. Col (Ret) Brian & his wife Janice of Travelers Rest SC, grandson Adam & his wife Brittany of Columbia SC; son Douglas & his wife Susie of Littleton CO, grandson Ben, his wife Chris and great-grandson Milo of South Bristol Maine, granddaughter Stephanie of Aurora CO; and daughter Pamela Popken-Harris and her husband Lester Harris of Plymouth MN. She was preceded in death by daughter Lori Lynn and sister Dorothy Adcock.  

Lola was born at home in Scottsbluff NE on Jan 12, 1929 to Harry and Edith Banghart. She was the middle of three daughters; they lived in their 2-bedroom bungalow with many relatives nearby.  She had a keen interest in literature and journalism and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Certificate in Journalism, and minors of Business Administration and English. While in college she became a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority. She met her husband L.J. in her senior year and they were married in 1951 at St. Margaret Mary's Church in Omaha.  

During the Korean War, L.J. was drafted into the Army. Lola accompanied him during training that took them to Fort Riley in Kansas, Fort Bliss in Texas, then finally to Camp Hanford in Washington.  After his discharge, Lola and L.J. settled once again in Omaha where she busied herself working in advertising for the Brandeis department store, raising her young family and volunteering time for numerous civic organizations, which over the years would grow to include Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, United Way, Little Theater and YWCA.  It was in Omaha where her political interests also took some of her volunteer time. She ran for the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature before it was accepted as a norm in that state for women to actively want to serve the public sector.

In 1970, after moving to Grand Island, Nebraska, she became a licensed real estate broker and opened her own real estate brokerage, Homestake Realty. Later, after moving to Minnesota, she tried other career fields. Two positions there brought her particular satisfaction. One was her role as a legal secretary/office manager for the group responsible for forming the Minnesota Timberwolves, a professional basketball team. But she was especially proud of her work as a Legislative Assistant in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Lola & L.J. moved to Colorado in 1996. She worked as a legislative assistant at Colorado Counties and then worked for several years as a document manager at a Cherry Creek real estate firm. Besides past professional organization memberships, Lola was an active member of and chair of several committees for the Denver area chapter of P.E.O., an organization of women that supports women through friendships, sisterhood, educational scholarships, grants, awards and loans. In 1999 she was honored for being an active 50-year member of her Sigma Kappa sorority.  As an elected representative of her chapter, Lola served as a delegate to the Denver Area Panhellenic. 

A memorial service will be held at 10AM on June 30, 2025 at Saint Andrew United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch; she will be buried at Fort Logan Military Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, her desire was to send any donations to Saint Andrews Church or to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children. 

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