Fr. Poppa, OFM Cap.
February 27, 1927 - June 14, 2011
Obituary
Fr. Chester Poppa, OFM Cap., 84, passed away on June 14, 2011, at Valley Health Care in Billings. Chester was born in Chicago, IL, on Feb. 27, 1927, the son of Stanislaus and Agnes Poppa. He grew up in Munising, MI, and attended high school at St. Lawrence Seminary, Mt. Calvary, WI. After high school Chester joined the Capuchin-Franciscan Order and was ordained a priest on Aug. 27, 1953. After ordination Fr. Chester was assigned to St. Lawrence Seminary, where he taught for 14 years. While in graduate studies at the University of Colorado, he fell in love with the West, and in 1970 he was transferred to Montana, where he served as pastor of Christ the King Church, Busby, for two years, and then as pastor of St. Charles Mission, Pryor, until 1975. In 1975 Fr. Chet became pastor of St. Davids Church, Broadus, where he served for 35 years until his retirement in 2010. During his last years at Broadus he had an apartment in Billings where he stayed during the week while undergoing dialysis. But each weekend he would faithfully make the 160 mile commute to Broadus to minister to his parish and celebrate weekend Masses. He was much loved by the people of Broadus and surrounding area whom he served and whose lives he shared for so many years. As his niece said of him, “he was everything that a priest should be.” Fr. Chester is survived by one brother, George Gravel of Westmore, MI, and two nieces, Anita Elmore of Reno, NV, and Betty Frost of Redmond, WA. He is also survived by his Capuchin brothers, and the many people whose lived he touched over the years. Special thanks to Drs. Eaton and Tevlin, and to the staffs of Valley Health Care and the Dialysis Center for their compassionate care for Fr. Chester. Cemetery: Burialon Thursday, June 23, at St. Lawrence Seminary, Mt. Calvary, WI. Visitation: Visitation 1-6 PM Sunday at Dahl Chapel Billings. Service: Vigil Service at 6:00 pm Sunday, June 19, at Dahl Funeral Chapel, Billings. Funeral Liturgy at noon on Monday, June 20, at St. David Church, Broadus
Events
There are no events for Fr. yet.
Photos
No photos of Fr. have been shared yet.
Memories
AZ
Adam Zimmer
Other •
Rest In Peace Father. Adam & Lee Zimmer and family Sheridan, WY
BH
Buck & Thelma Healey
Other •
As part of his Broadus family, he will be missed. We always enjoyed having him come to our home in Rapid City and treasure the times we could serve him. May he rest in peace.
SK
Steve (Gali) Kembel
Other •
Father Chester was a great comfort to me the night of my father's passing. I will always be grateful to him for his guidance and compassion.
SC
Sister Lynn Casey
Other •
I will miss this gentle and humble priest and pray in appreciation and gratitude for his service.
SH
Sheila Haselhuhn
Other •
Father Poppa was one of the kindest people I have ever met. I taught in Broadus for six years during which time I got to know him. He never raised his voice, but he made sure everyone understood his message. His kindness and understanding will never be forgotten.
AE
Anita Elmore
Other •
My sister and I would like to thank all the wonderful people of Montana who loved and cared for and about my uncle, Fr. Chester during his life there. We knew him as Uncle Bob, as Robert was his given name at birth. He so loved his older brother, my father, Chester Poppa, that he took his name when he became a priest. My father was eternally proud that he shared this special bond with the exceptional man who became Father Chester. My oldest son remembers Father as a warm, funny man who got down on the floor and played with him at our home in Reno. He baptised both of my children and I will be forever blessed by having him in my life and the lives of my children.