Berdell E. Popkes was born September 12, 1931, in Sibley, Iowa to his parents, Raymond Popkes & Lorena Scherff Popkes. Berdell had one younger sister, Verla. Berdell lived in Sibley, IA, for 10 years then moved to Worthington, Minnesota. Berdell bravely served in the Army in the Korean War. He endured much agony and fought bravely for our country. He earned a purple heart during his service. Berdell served in Korea from January 1951 to December 1952, when he came back to the United States with heavy injuries. He eventually healed from his injuries and moved to Sioux Falls, SD. Berdell was a bricklayer for his career and spent tireless hours working on buildings around Sioux Falls including the V. A. Hospital. He was an active member of the V. F. W. Post 628. He truly enjoyed the people, comradery, and causes of the V. F. W. It was the place he enjoyed most! Through the V. F. W. , he volunteered and served proudly in the Honor / Color Guard for many years. Berdell moved to Kansas City for his last months of life where he could be with his family. Berdell is loved and survived by his sister, Verla Mundhenke; his nieces, Lori, Susan, and Kathy; their husbands, Tom and Jeff, and his grand-nieces; Hannah, Lindsey, and Erin. Berdell passed away peacefully September 2, 2017. Berdell will be honored and celebrated in a memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC, where he will be buried.