Bio: Poppe, Norman (American Legion Honors Vet - 2015)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Henchen, Grap, Poppe

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 10/28/2015

American Legion Honors Veteran (Norman Poppe - 2015)

American Legion Honors Veteran

Norman Poppe

By Todd Schmidt

Neillsville American Legion Post 73 will honor Edward Henchen, Frederick Grap Jr. and Norman Poppe for their military service during a special program Monday, Nov. 3. Social hour starts at 4:30 p.m., with a 5:30 potluck meal and a recognition program to follow.

Poppe was drafted into the Army in December 1953 at the age of 21, joining five other recruits from the Neillsville area.

Basic training was conducted at Ft. Riley, KS, where Poppe was trained in the Light Weapons Infantry. He was transferred to the 4th Armored Division at Ft. Hood, TX, where he worked in the food service.

Poppe received his discharge in 1955.

Poppe’s parents built the roller skating rink northwest of Neillsville in 1946. Many people in this area remember the good times had there.

“It has been told there have been some lasting relationships formed from that era,” Poppe said.

Unfortunately, the skating rink had closed by the time Poppe came home from the service.

He married Ardith Suckow in May 1959. They took over the family farm, as his parents moved to a house by the former skating rink. They have since sold the farm, moving to a country home north of Neillsville.

They have been volunteers at the Legion for many years. They started helping at the former Legion facility on Hewett Street and to this day continue working on Thursdays, preparing potatoes for the weekend events. He also works on the Monday night steak feed.

They enjoy playing cards (Sheepshead and Setback). They have four children and six grandchildren.

(Shown l-r), Edward Henchen, Frederick Grap, Jr. and Norman Poppe are honored for their military service Monday evening by Neillsville American Legion Post 73.