Gail Marie Popelka

Gail Popelka, age 79, of Green Bay, passed away peacefully after her long, courageous battle with cancer on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born November 22, 1946, to the late Elwyn and Ione (Kind) Ford in Sheboygan and graduated from Elkhart Lake Glenbeulah High School in 1964. Pursuing higher education, she went on to obtain an associate degree in accounting from Lakeshore Technical Institute, where she was awarded the honor of Student of the Year.

After hustling him at a game of pool, Gail married the love of her life, Donald Popelka, in Greenbush on November 9, 1974. She enjoyed Sudoku, gardening, camping, dancing in the rain and howling at the moon. She loved music, especially John Denver, who always had her singing along with a smile on her face. Gail could be found sitting outside with Don in the evenings, with a blackberry brandy in hand, offering a friendly wave to every passer-by; or on the back porch roasting marshmallows and hot dogs with her grandchildren. Her greatest love of all was her family.

She is survived by her husband, Don, children; Jeff (Julie) Gahagan, Rebecca (Joel) Beaudry and Nicole (E. Sims Floyd Jr.) Stengel, grandchildren; Tim (Carvella) Heinen, Zoe Heinen, Claire Gahagan, Alyana, Miakoda and Atalie Beaudry, Joey Palmquist, Jackson and Greyson Stengel, great granddaughters, Annika and Alana. Gail is further survived by her brothers, Larry Ford and David (Bobbie) Ford, sisters-in-law, Sister Donalise Popelka, Betty Jean (Earl) Helmer, Karen Schieble and Nancy (Neil) Steffens, as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Preceding her in death are her parents, her beloved daughter Leslie Gahagan, brother, Gary Ford, sisters Laurie Ford and Debbie Ford, and sisters-in-law, Beverly Ford and Catherine Popelka.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

The family would like to thank her doctors, nurses and caregivers for all their compassion and support over the years.