Ida Erika Popinga

On Jan. 28, 2024, our beloved wife, mother, and "Omi" peacefully departed this life, surrounded by her loving family. Ida Erika Sauter was born October 11, 1943, to Olga and Johann Sauter in Pomerkin, Poland, one of 8 children. World War II had a tremendous impact on the family. The German government sent them to Poland to occupy a farm when Ida was an infant. When the Russian army eventually came through, the family fled with what they could carry and took refuge in East Germany. There, they longed for freedom, so they hired a young woman who knew the border guards' changing schedule and began the dangerous process of escaping. The woman took the family, two at a time, across. Ida, 6 years-old, and her sister Ella, were the first pair to cross. On their first attempt, they were apprehended by East German soldiers and put in jail. The soldiers released the "sisters" the next day, but told them they would kill them if they were caught a second time. They immediately tried again and made it. Ida remembered how she begged Ella to not drink the tea the soldiers offered, thinking it was poisoned. She recalled the guide instructing her to take her biggest jumps from tree stump to tree stump to avoid the landmines. Eventually, everyone made it across and the family reunited in Wesendorf, West Germany, and settled there. Ida had a passion for life early on. She was an outstanding competitive gymnast and runner/sprinter/jumper in track and field. She raced against Olympic-level runners of her time in Germany, including Jutta Heine, who competed against Wilma Rudolph in the 1956 and 1960 Summer Olympics. Ida excelled in her position with Volkswagen as a transcriptionist and translator, which led to her being sent to the US to perfect her English. She chose to go to North Dakota where sisters, Elfrieda and Ella, had since settled. Not long after, she met a handsome, hard-working farmer in the area named Melvin "Bud" Popinga, and they began a courtship. Ida and Bud were married on December 29, 1967, in Wesendorf, Germany, and returned to Donnybrook to begin their life together. Ida was new to farming, but with her eagerness to learn, she quickly became an expert gardener, canner, cook, seamstress, crafter, and homemaker. She lovingly took care of Mel's mother, Grace for many years. She followed her own mother's directive to take care of Grace just as if it were her. She walked hot meals to Grace across the driveway in North Dakota winters and warmed up her own later. She brought Grace fresh flowers and fixed her hair for church. Grace adored and appreciated her and to her dying day, Ida always said she was happy to care for Grace. Mel and Ida's two children, Brandon and Monique, were absolutely the light of her life, and she would drive through any blizzard to see their basketball games or recitals. She was a completely devoted and loving mother, teaching them to work hard, excel in school, and genuinely love others. The family loved summer trips to visit family in Germany, where Ida's parents and siblings would spoil them with delicious food, fun activities, and family parties. As hard as Ida worked, she also took time to play. She was fiercely competitive and enjoyed sports, board games, Pinochle, and Spades. Until she died, when asked if she preferred to just visit or play a game, the answer was always, "Play a game!" She never wanted to miss out on any activity or event. She had a love for all things beautiful--nature, animals, and children. She doted on her grandchildren, and just recently on her great-granddaughter, Peyton. Ida was known for her wonderful garden and her cooking skills. She was also the bookkeeper for the Popinga Brothers family farm for many years and kept meticulous records. From her time in Germany, she knew which plant had medicinal benefits, and which mushrooms were safe to eat. To walk outdoors with her was to take a master class in botany. Ida made everyone who entered her home feel loved and special. No one came into the house without being fed delicious food, entertained with fun stories and laughter, listened to with genuine concern, and sent home with gifts. Ida was a devout Jehovah's Witness and had many close friends within that community. She loved Jehovah God so deeply and lived a beautiful, Christ-like life of kindness, unselfishness, and generosity. After Brandon became a pilot for Delta Airlines and moved to the Atlanta area, Bud and Ida bought a winter home in Senoia, Ga. They also traveled frequently to Logan, Utah, to stay with Monique and her family. We will all miss her infectious joy, and her willingness to go on any adventure. She will remain with us in our hearts, however, woven deep and dear. Ida is survived by her husband, Bud Popinga; son Brandon Popinga (Angella); daughter Monique Frazier (Lance); grandchildren Grant Popinga (Kali) and Kylie Combs (Tyler), Jaden Frazier and Max Frazier, and Joshua Burud (Ellis) and Austin Burud; great-grandchild Peyton; and siblings Elfrieda, Arthur, and Horst. Funeral arrangements are being conducted by McKoon Funeral Home of Newnan, Ga, and Brose Funeral Home of Mohall, ND. Interment and Celebration of Life will be held in Tolley, ND, and a Memorial Service at the Kingdom Hall in Minot, ND, this summer, at a date to be determined. Ida's Summer Grove Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses in Sharpsburg, Ga, are holding a Memorial Service for her on Feb. 24, 2024, at 1PM. Online condolences and pictures of Ida's life can be accessed at www.mckoon.com. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory (770) 253-4580

Ida Erika Popinga

October 11, 1943 - January 28, 2024