DJ Pophal
![DJ Pophal](/images/obituaries/dj-pophal-photo.jpg?1721672830)
Dejon “DJ” Pophal, age 54 of Durand, died Saturday, July 20, 2024 at his home in Durand with his family by his side after a courageous battle with cancer.
DJ was born on April 4, 1970 in Merrill. He was the son of David Pophal and Mary Savaske. At a young age, DJ moved with his family to Eau Claire where he grew up and graduated from North High School in 1988. While in high school, DJ excelled in sports. DJ was an all-conference quarterback for North and was the point guard on the 1987 basketball team that went to state. He made the last second game winning shot to make it to state. After high school, DJ attended Chippewa Valley Technical College where he attained his degree in accounting. DJ met the love of his life, Kelly Bauer, at the Hilltop Bar in Eau Claire in 1993. They were married on October 14, 2000 in Eau Claire. DJ and Kelly had their first daughter, Emily, in 2002 while living in Eau Claire. They moved to Durand in 2004, where their second daughter, Kailyn, was born in 2007. DJ worked at his family’s business, Gilbertson’s Cleaners, in Eau Claire from 1998 until 2022 when he retired due to his illness.
DJ had a passion for Wisconsin sports, watching the Brewers, Packers, Badgers and Bucks. He enjoyed music, playing cribbage, hunting and golfing. Most of all, DJ loved being a family man; he never missed his daughters’ school or sport events, he enjoyed being around his family and his dog Reggie.
DJ is survived by his wife of 24 years, Kelly; two daughters, Emily and Kailyn; mother Mary Gilbertson of Eau Claire; father and stepmom David and Linda Pophal of Chippewa Falls; siblings, Suzanne (Jeremy) Crowell of Eau Claire and Justin (Greta) Grensing of Oakdale, MN; lifelong dear friend, Clay Timm of Chetek; close friend, Susan Sanda of Edina, MN; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 4:00PM-8:00PM Friday, July 26, 2024 at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Durand.
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Durand, is serving the family.