Thomas "Tom" William Popken , 71, of Chandler, Arizona died peacefully at his home on Friday, June 26, 2020. Tom had been diagnosed with brain cancer in September 2019 and he battled bravely against it.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 1, 2020 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Akron. Father Paul Bormann will celebrate Mass with Deacon Richard Port assisting. Burial will follow in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery in Akron. Visitation with the family present will be 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Akron. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com .

Tom was born on Oct 18, 1948, to William and Regina Popken in Akron, Iowa. He attended school in Akron and Westfield. He graduated from Westfield High School in 1966. When Tom's dad passed away in May of 1966, Tom helped his mother stay on the family farm a couple more years.

On September 13, 1969 Tom was united in marriage to Sharon Ostermyer. To this union were born Matthew, Tracy, and Melissa. Tom worked for many years at Super Sweet Feeds in Le Mars, Iowa.

In 1992, Tom moved to Chandler, Arizona and managed Arizona Grain Inc. in Casa Grande, Arizona until his retirement. He lived on an acreage for several years after moving to Arizona and loved to raise a few calves and work on mechanical things on his acreage. Even after moving back into the city, he was still a farm boy at heart. Tom was an active member of Chandler Elks Lodge for 13 years. He was also an active member of the Sons of the American Legion Post 91 Chandler for 10 years. He enjoyed the many friendships he made at both organizations.

He became engaged to Tina Menefee in 2013. Tina and Tom loved to go camping in the mountains to escape the Arizona summer heat. Tom also loved spending time with his dogs, Boss and Runt and he enjoyed riding motorcycles.

He is survived by his fiancé: Tina Menefee; children: Matthew Popken (Dawn Webb) of Estherville, IA, Tracy Popken (Carmen) of Sioux City IA, and Melissa (Kelly) Beltman of Hospers, IA; step daughter: Jenny (Michael) Miller of Maricopa, AZ; 8 grandchildren: Kaitlyn, Mackenzie, Kylah, Alan, Levi, Dylan, Samuel and Branden; 3 step grandchildren: Amaya, Lizzette, and Trey; two sisters: Barbara (Lyle) Ostermyer of Akron, IA and Betty (Jim) Kelley of Sioux Falls, SD; one brother: Bob Popken (special friend Lori Gale) of Akron, IA; and two nephews and one niece.

Tom was preceded in death by his father and mother, William and Regina Popken, infant grandson William Popken-Webb and niece Angela Kelley.