At the age of 18 Renee gave her life to Jesus while attending a Youth for Christ retreat in Wisconsin with friends. It was this decision that she credited to helping her get through her mother’s sudden death several months later. She often commented during her cancer journey that she couldn’t imagine going through it without knowing Christ.
In the fall of 1978, while attending a Christian singles retreat, she introduced herself to a young man named Tim Popelka and on September 22, 1979 they were married at Bethany Reformed Church in Des Moines, Iowa.
They were blessed with three children during their marriage. In 1984, they moved to Omaha, Nebraska where Tim had accepted a job. Renee enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom and homeschooling her children After the children were raised she worked for the Millard School District in the lunchrooms of various schools and at the Residence Inn serving breakfast and was the primary caregiver for Tim’s parents.
During the winter of 2019-2020 Renee began to experience a variety of symptoms and was diagnosed with bile duct cancer in the spring of 2020. Being the fighter she was she wasn’t about to give up. The chemo and radiation she was given was much more effective than the medical community expected and she experienced two and a half years of relatively good health. Renee’s faith in her Savior and her reliance on Him during her illness touched the hearts of many.
Renee is survived by brothers Scott and Bill (Kim) Fields, sisters Connie Krueger and Lisa (Bill) Ferleman, daughters Nichole (Adam) Williams and Alicia (Nicholas) Olari, son William Popelka and 5 beautiful grandchildren that were the loves of her life as well as many other relatives and friends. Renee was proceeded in death by her parents William and Elaine Fields, her brother-in-law Ray Krueger and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charles and Ruth Popelka.
There will be a Celebration of Life at Citylight Church West at 3401 Oak View Drive in Omaha, Nebraska at 10 AM on Thursday, September 8, 2022. It was Renee’s wish that this be a casual celebration so please feel free to dress casually. Following the Celebration a luncheon will be served.
In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial in Renee’s name to the internship program at Citylight Church Omaha (3401 Oak View Drive, Omaha, NE 68144) or Child Evangelism Fellowship of Omaha (5426 S. 99th St, Omaha, NE 68127).
To send flowers to the family in memory of Renee Elaine Popelka, please visit our flower store.