LaDena Younglund

LaDena Younglund, 67, of Mesa, Arizona and formerly of Chappell passed away peacefully on Monday, January 13, 2014 in Mesa.

 A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 17, 2014 at the Berea Lutheran Church with Brenda Tophoj, PMA officiating.  Burial will follow in the Chappell Cemetery.

Holechek Funeral Home and Cremations in Oshkosh is assisting the Younglund family with local arrangements.

LaDena was born December 4, 1946 to Everett Archie Poppert and Betty June (Robb) Poppert in Lewellen, Ne.  After graduation from Deuel County High School in 1965 she attended college in Kearney, Ne.

LaDena and Chris Ray of Chappell were united in marriage on January 22, 1966.  To this union was born a daughter, Zharyl Junean.

Several years later, LaDena moved to California to pursue her career as a Legal Secretary.

February 15, 1969 LaDena and Gary Russell Younglund were united in marriage in Thousand Oaks, CA.  In 1985, daughter Sarah Ann was born.

LaDena was a legal secretary for several years until she went back to school to become a paralegal specializing in family law.  In 2004 they moved to Mesa, AZ where she continued to work as a paralegal until her retirement.

She was very active in the Apahe Wells Church singing in the choir, teaching Bible studies, participating in the Heifer Fair and Emmaus Fellowship.  LaDena also enjoyed playing cards with family and friends, reading, hiking and jigsaw puzzles.

LaDena is survived by 2 daughters, Zharyl Younglund of Oshkosh and Sarah and husband, Chris of Mesa; mother, Betty Kechley of Oshkosh; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by a baby sister, Sherryl Ann Poppert; her husband, Gary Younglund; father, Everett Poppert; and stepfather, Melvin Kechley.