Virginia “Ginger” Popp
Born August 4th, 1948, to Lloyd & Bertha Landreth in Gordon, Ne. Virginia Talked fondly of growing up with grandparents Chris & Lydia Wellnitz and never forgot how loved and special they made her feel. Virginia graduated from Rushville High School in 1965 and then went to cosmetology school in Scottsbluff, NE. Where she met the love of her life, Thomas “Tom” Popp, when he came to pick up his mom from Virginia fixing her hair. They had a whirlwind romance that included then eloping to Colorado because Virgina’s Parents didn’t approve. Tom talked about borrowing some money and a friends Camaro and secretly rendezvousing with Virginia at a friend’s and whisking here down to Ft. Morgan Colorado where their witnesses were the Justices Children. Although not a typical wedding, Virginia and Tom told the story often to their Kids, sharing their excitement and love for that time. Tom and Virgina made their home in Scottsbluff and then Gering until Tom passed away in 2004.
Virgina and Tom have 2 Children, Craig (Glenn) Popp of Rapid City and Tracy (Kirk) Felker of Alliance. Virginia worked at Heritage Health Care Center for over 20 years. Before retiring due to being struck by MS. Virgina lived in Alliance with Tracy and her family after Tom passed and used to watch her grandkids in the backyard and she would worry about their safety on the trampoline or climbing the tree’s, they were quite the daredevils. Virgina later moved in with Craig and Brad, she loved to go shopping and gambling with them (especially the penny machines in Deadwood).
Virginia’s passions were crocheting, Romance novels, cooking which she loved to make cabbage burgers from scratch. She was always a Joy to be with and her affectious smile. Everyone loved her.
Virgina’s MS progressed to where she needed 24-hour care and spent the remainder of her years at Avantara Arrowhead where she received wonderful care and the staff loved her. She passed away on January 24, 2025, with her family around her.
She is proceeded in Death by her Husband Tom, Parents, Her Sister Joyce Jech, Her Brother Rudy Landreth, and Son in Law Bradley Griffith. She is Survived by her Children, Craig (Glenn) Popp, Tracy (Kirk) Felker, Grandchildren: April (Dan) Manka, Minatare NE, Taylor Felker Scottsbluff, Ne, Trevor Felker Colorado Springs, CO, Kira (Jared) Tunin, Mitchell, NE Tim Griffith (Nikki) Billings MT, Candace Smith, Lincoln NE, Becky Terry, Hutchins KS, Zach Griffith, Belfield ND. Virginia also had 13 great-grandchildren.
For Information on her upcoming celebration of life, see the Behrens Wilson website
