Richard L. Pope

Richard L. Pope, 85, of Mason City IA, passed away peacefully at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center on Friday, March 20, 2026, after a brief illness. A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 419 N Delaware, with Pastor Karl Bollhagen officiating. A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 4-7 p.m., at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 North Pennsylvania. Richard will be laid to rest at Lincoln Township Cemetery. Military Honors will be conducted by Mason City Veterans Association.

Richard was born October 11, 1940, at home on the family farm outside of Rockwell to Frank and Myrna (Wepking) Pope. After graduating from Hanlontown High School in 1958, he joined the Army and served on active duty until 1962. He then served in the Army Reserves until 1964 when he was honorably discharged. Returning to Iowa, he briefly worked as a roofer before farming full time.

He married Carolyn Heimbuch on July 31, 1976, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mason City. To this union, three children were born. He "retired" from farming in 2010 but continued to help his sons with day-to-day operations until he became ill.

Richard grew and sold Pope's Popcorn for many years, turning over the business to his great-niece this past fall. He delighted in being a grandfather and his granddaughters adored him. He enjoyed traveling, driving thousands of miles (mostly on gravel roads) across the United States, often to visit family and friends. He was always up for an adventure, whether it be taking a trip on a Great Lakes freighter, visiting Central Asia, or helping with cattle branding in Nebraska. He was a kind and patient man; enjoyed visiting with friends, family and neighbors; playing cards, watching old Westerns and most of all, being out on the tractor. He was a true Iowa farmer through and through.

Richard is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Carolyn (Heimbuch) Pope; children: Kevin (Abby) Pope of Rock Falls, Martha Pope (George Wunder) of Harleysville, PA, and Adam Pope of Mason City; four granddaughters: Tess, Catherine, Lyla and Geneva; sister: Frances Theilen; several brother and sisters-in-law; many nieces and nephews; and his best pal, Rooster.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law: Robert and Martha Heimbuch; siblings: Audrey Knowles, Lloyd Pope, Mary Lorraine Pethick, and Roger Pope; brothers-in-law: Ron Pethick, Ron Theilen, Delivan Knowles, Don Heimbuch, Roger Heimbuch and Ray Heimbuch; sisters-in-law: Myrna Pope and Diane Heimbuch; and nephews, Jonathan Pope and Matthew Heimbuch.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials be given to Bethlehem Lutheran Church or to the MercyOne North Iowa Foundation.

Richard's family would sincerely like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of MercyOne and the IOOF Skilled Nursing facility for their kind, compassionate, and excellent care.