Eldren Catherine Orvilla Popp was born November 17, 1907, in Washington Township, Carroll County. She was the daughter of Henry and Anna (Schmielau) Ranniger. She was one of nine children in the family. She attended country school.

She married Erwin Popp, May 26, 1925. They farmed in the Manilla area until 1943, when they moved to the Walnut area. They were the parents of 10 children. Erwin died December 15, 1964. Eldren then moved to Avoca to make her home. She had been a resident of the Colonial Manor Nursing Horne in Avoca since August of 1991. She died at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic November 21, 1993, after suffering a heart attack on her birthday at age 86 years and 4 days.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Erwin, two sons; Eugene and Ronald, two grandchildren; Gary and Julie, three sisters; Elvira Gadient, Vernea Lingle, and Wilma Ranniger, and two brothers; Melvin and Leonard Ranniger. Survivors are her children; Virgil Popp (Molly) of Sun Valley, California; Joanne (Earl) Lippold of Shelby; Duane Popp (Donna) of Sioux City; Darold Popp (Janet) of Avoca; Carol Malloy of Gray; Marlene (Max) Pangburn of Atlantic; Eldon "Butch" Popp (Sandy) of Walnut; and Dallas Popp (Barbara) of Avoca, 28 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, two sisters: Veranus (Lynn) Durbin of Jefferson and Lajune Majerus of Des Moines, a brother, Myron Ranniger of Bayard, nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Funeral services were held November 24, 1993, at the Knutson Funeral Chapel, Avoca with Rev. Richard Smith officiating. Burial was in the Manning Cemetery. Casket bearers were her grandsons. Knutson Funeral Horne in charge of arrangements.