Carol Jean Popelka, age 87, of Shawano passed away on Monday January 26, 2026, at her home. Carol was born on May 6, 1938, in Shawano to the late Edwin and Viola (Roggenbuck) Korth. She attended St. James Lutheran School and graduated from Shawano High School in 1956.

Carol and Lewis Popelka met at two mutual friend's wedding, continued "meeting" and married on October 3, 1959, at St. James Lutheran Church. It was the start of an interesting life; they immediately produced four children, Ron, Beth, David and Michael. Since Carol was an only child and Lewie the youngest of three they had a lot to learn. Fortunately raising children was a fun experience for them.

After the kids had all started school Carol continued her education receiving a bachelor's degree in human biology at UW-Green Bay and master's degree in special education at UW- Oshkosh. She worked at various jobs including Jr-Sr high school education in Seymour, program supervisor at Eudes Residential Treatment Center of Green Bay and Menominee Indian Jr-Sr high school special education.

After a two-month rv vacation in Alaska, Lewie and Carol decided they really liked exploring. In 1990, they moved sight unseen to Farmington, New Mexico. Carol worked as a program support coordinator for special education at Central Consolidated School District on the Navajo Reservation until her retirement in 2002. In her job in this large district, she traveled to schools all over the district and was blessed to learn and enjoy so much of the Navajo way of life.

While living in New Mexico, Lewie and Carol spent all their spare time exploring the dessert and ancient ruins in New Mexico; fishing and exploring the mountains in nearby Colorado.

In New Mexico, Lewie and Carol had lived in an rv. They had just bought a new motor home when they left Wisconsin and meant to live in it until they were sure they wanted to stay and then look to buy a house. Well, they looked but never bought anything but a new motor home. They lived in a neat little park with nice neighbors who became good friends. So, when it was time to go, they packed up and went.

The next 18 years were spent full-time rving. They were fun years! They volunteered in National Wildlife Refuges, COE parks and recreation areas. Carol usually worked in the visitor centers where she met many interesting people and learned much about nature. Summer was spent in Door County working at a campground where they were able to be near the children and grandchildren. They spent some good times with the children and grandchildren up there. Carol worked in the office. They enjoyed several trips to Spain to visit Beth and her family. On one of those trips, they rented a rv and with Beth as a guide explored a bit of Spain, Germany and France.

Carol loved meeting and working with people all around the country and learning about all of the many differences in this composition of this country.

Carol is survived by her husband, Lewie; children, Ronald (Cheryl) Popelka, Beth (Julian Perez) Popelka, David Popelka and Michael Popelka; grandchildren, David (Amy) Popelka, Jr, Nick (Stephanie) Popelka, Rachel Popelka, David (Angelica) Popelka Perez, Ana (Alberto) Perez Popelka, Jame (Dallas) Herm and Jordan (Drake) Barbosa; great-grandchildren, Trinity, Kody, Ryder, Rhett, Alina, Hector, Weston, Millie and Natalia. She is further survived by other relatives and many friends.

Carol is preceded in death by her parents, Edwin and Viola Korth.

Memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday January 30, 2026, at St. Jakobi Lutheran Church with Pastor Travis Kleinschmidt officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 9:30 am until the time of service. Inurnment will be held in the spring at Woodlawn Cemetery in Shawano.