Sherrie L. Popilek

Sherrie Lynne Popilek (Flattum, Power) passed away peacefully in her apartment on Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Hibbing, MN. Sherrie was born in Thief River Falls, MN, on September 18, 1951, to Stanley A. and Betty E. (Swanson) Flattum. Her family moved to the Twin Cities when she was a young girl and eventually settled in Hopkins, MN. She attended Hopkins High, where she met and married Michael Power. They were married for 27 years and had two children together. After their divorce, she briefly married her friend David Popilek. Sherrie worked as a waitress in her younger years at Jay's Pizza, Bridgeman's, and Pizza Hut. Later working at Guardian Angels for 30 years in the kitchen as a dietary aide.

Sherrie is remembered for being friendly and kind, greeting everyone with a "howdy". She was fun and quirky, with a great sense of humor. She enjoyed dancing and listening to music from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Sherrie will be especially remembered for Dancing Queen by ABBA and Her Name is Lola by Barry Manilow. Sometimes she would play her music loud on her speaker in her apartment at the Lee Center, giggle, and say, "It's a good thing my neighbors can't hear very well". She loved old movies, westerns, and TV shows such as Arsenic and Old Lace, Gunsmoke, and Andy Griffin. She also enjoyed a good political debate and watching the news. Mostly, she loved going to the Twin Cities to visit her family, shop, and have a good cup of coffee. She was always happy returning home to her apartment in the "Great North Woods", where she peacefully passed away in her sleep, listening to the breeze in the treetops out of the big sunny windows that overlooked the woods in her apartment.

She is preceded in death by her brother James A. Flattum, parents Stanley A. and Betty E. (Swanosn) Flattum, and her son-in-law Larry E. Lund.

She is survived by her sister Holly (Frank) Loveseth, brother John (Patty) Flattum, daughter Shannon Lund, son Donovan (Terese) Power, grandchildren Jessica (Albert) Goerdt, Shayla Lund, Aaron Lund, Thomas Power, Joseph Power, Claire Power, great-grandson Mogan Goerdt, nieces Julia Flattum and Gianna Flattum, and her best friends Mary Sams and Faye Gibson.

Please join us for her celebration of life service held by Pastor John Koppel. It will take place on Friday, September 18, 2026, on her 75th birthday at Chambers Grove State Park in the pavilion at 13404 MN-23, Duluth, MN 55808. The service will start at 3 PM followed by a potluck and floating flowers and lanterns. If you'd like to send a card to family, please send them to 3741 4th Avenue East in Hibbing, MN 55746.