HOISINGTON — Rosa Lea ‘Rose’ Popp, 79, died Feb. 16, 2026, at Clara Barton Hospital ER, Hoisington, Kan.  She was born May 16, 1946, in Smith Center, Kan., the daughter of Arthur and Charlotte (Fiene) Appel. 

On June 5, 1971, she married Roy A. Popp in Great Bend, Kan. He preceded her in death on Oct. 29, 1996.

A longtime Hoisington resident Rose worked in the nursing home as a cook and ended up a CNA med aide at Woodhaven Care Center, in Ellinwood and Hoisington Rehabilitation Center. Family meant everything to her and was her full-time job, as she devoted her time and love to them.

She is survived by her two sons, Rick Popp and wife Dena of Great Bend, and Ronald Popp of Hoisington; a brother, Norman Appel and wife Donna of Wichita; her beloved grandchildren, Lance Popp and wife Jessica of Overland Park, Trey Popp, and Kelci Popp, both of Great Bend; great grandchildren, Greyson and Ellis Popp; and her cherished four-legged friend Mia. She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant brother, Wayne Appel; and a sister, Carol McMurdo.

Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, with family to greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Hoisington Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Clara Barton Hospital Foundation in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544. Notices may be viewed and condolences sent at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home

P.O. Box 146

Hoisington, KS 67544

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Feb. 19, 2026