Diane (Popp) Borkowski

Diane (Popp) Borkowski, 63, of Atlantic, Iowa, known by some as Sissy or Mama 2, died Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at Avoca Specialty Care.

Diane Lucille was born on October 27, 1959, in Atlantic, Iowa, the daughter of Eugene Howard and Marilyn Lucille (Leslie) Popp.  She attended school in Atlantic and graduated from Atlantic High School in 1978.  Following graduation, she started nursing school in Norfolk, NE, but returned home with one year left to help run the bar and care for her surprise brother, Zach.  Diane was always proud that she was able to purchase a home, the same one she still lived in, at the age of 21.  

On July 8, 1995, she was united in marriage to her soulmate, David “Ski” Borkowski in Atlantic, Iowa. 

Diane helped with bookwork, bartending or whatever was needed to help her mom and brother out in running Irve’s Elbow Room, now just the Elbow Room, for over 50 years.  Maybe it’s just part of being in the business but she didn’t take any BS and never backed down from knocking you down a few pegs and putting you in your place.  She likely did this with just not the point of her finger but with her whole hand.  You also better bet if you did her wrong, she never forgot.  Even with this tough persona she had a huge, giving and caring heart and would do anything she could to help you!

Every day started off very similar…coffee, smokes and earning her daily rewards on the various computer games she played; she was all about routine.  Diane also enjoyed her various TV shows, one of her favorites being American Idol which comes as no surprise since at one time she was a part of the McNerdals, a lip sync group, which performed hits like “Splish Splash”, “Leader of the Pack”, and “Ahab, the Arab.”  She looked forward to trips to The Horseshoe in Council Bluffs; Sizzling Sevens being her game.  Diane was so lucky, always hitting the machine at just the right time for winnings and wanting to stay longer because she was doing so well—even though others were ready to go because . . . well, they weren’t quite so lucky.  She did cross-stich and was also a fabulous cook, never hesitating to try new recipes.  Her pork tenderloins, potatoes and gravy and spiral pasta funeral salad were crowd favorites.  Diane collected cow memorabilia.  “Why?” you might ask…well because most people hit deer while out on the road, but she seemed to hit cows (on at least three different occasions!), earning the name Moo-Moo Murderer. 

Diane was the life of the party—singing, dancing and living life to the fullest.  No matter the occasion she was decked out to the nines; matching head to toe with her coordinated outfit, headband, earrings, nail polish and purse!

Diane’s spunky and outgoing ways will be deeply missed by her brother, Zach (Christine) Blanchard; sister, Frannie (Dan) Nissen; nieces and nephews, James (Kara) Darrow, Gary Popp, Nicole Popp, and Krystina (Ashton) Elings; step-dad, Mike Blanchard; feline companion, Lucifer; many extended family; and countless friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Eugene Popp (1965, when Diane was 6) and Marilyn Popp Blanchard (2016); husband and love of her life, David “Ski” Borkowski; brothers, David Popp and Gary Popp; feline companions Tank, Webster, and Wendell; her fish, all named Oscar; and most recently her pup of over 19 years, Rudy.

A Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Monday, August 21^st at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.  Visitation with the family present will be held prior to the service at the funeral home on Monday starting at 1:30 p.m.  The service will be recorded and available on the funeral home website by noon on Tuesday. 

The family welcomes everyone to join them at the Elbow Room immediately following the service (even if you are unable to be at the funeral home) for continued celebration of Diane. 

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Diane’s family and her arrangements.  Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralserivce.com.