Alyce Ray (Slack) Popp
6.26.36 – 10.18.26 S
ome people spend a lifetime building a home. Alyce Ray (Slack) Popp spent 90 years building something much bigger; a family, a legacy, and a place in this world where people knew they were welcome.
On Sunday, October 18, 2026, Alyce departed for heaven, leaving behind a lifetime of memories, a family who adored her, and countless people whose lives were forever changed simply because she made room for them in hers.
Born and raised in Livingston, Wisconsin, to Anita (Noble) Biddick and Ray Slack, Alyce was a hard-working farm girl from the start. She learned early what it meant to work hard, show up, and take care of what mattered. Those qualities stayed with her throughout her life. Whether farming in her younger years, working at Rayovac or The Dutchman’s Inn, and eventually opening her own in-home daycare, Alyce was never one to sit still when there was something to be done or someone who needed her.
If you asked Alyce what mattered most, it was never the work itself. It was the people.
Family was the very essence of who she was. She raised seven children of her own, but counting only those seven would never begin to tell the story. Through years of opening her home to foster children, Alyce helped raise countless others along the way. She was recognized as Lafayette County’s Foster Family of the Year in 2002, an honor that reflected what so many already knew, she had a caring heart.
Alyce had an open-door policy long before the phrase became popular. If you needed somewhere to land, there was room on her couch. If life had gotten the best of you, you didn’t need to explain yourself before being welcomed inside for a warm meal.
If you were lucky enough to sit at Alyce’s table, you knew you were in for something special. She was a fabulous cook and baker. Her cinnamon rolls were practically as big as your head, and her homemade bread earned her a blue ribbon.
She was strong and independent, quick witted, and gifted with poetry. She also had an eye for the things that made life colorful. Turquoise jewelry, yellow roses, and anything adorned with stars and stripes.
Perhaps one of the greatest ways Alyce expressed her love was through her unwavering interest in the lives of the people she cared about. She didn’t just love you from a distance; she showed up. She followed along with school achievements, sporting events, horse shows, and all the milestones that made up the lives of her children and grandchildren. She wanted to know what was happening, how things turned out, and what came next. Birthdays were never forgotten. If there was a memory worth keeping, chances were good she was reaching for her camera. Alyce was an avid picture taker.
In 1997, Alyce married the love of her life, Donald Popp. Together, they built their family home in Belmont, Wisconsin, a place that quickly became the home base for gathering. She was also a devoted member of Belmont Methodist Church, where her faith remained an important part of her life.
Alyce’s legacy cannot be measured in years, nor can it be fully captured by a list of accomplishments. It lives in the children she raised, the grandchildren she adored, the foster children she welcomed, the photographs she saved, and the countless moments in which she made you feel always had a place to go.
In true Alyce fashion, we won’t say goodbye without the words she loved to leave us with. As she begins her next journey, we can almost hear her signing off one last time:
“Happy Trails to you”
She leaves behind her siblings: Laurene Leuth of Platteville and Jack (Jean) Slack of Livingston; sister in-law Karen Slack of Livingston; her children: Jim Dailey (Lisa Womack) of Lancaster, Michael Dailey of Madison, Kelly Bartell (Rick Tobin) of Potosi, Kent Dailey of Montfort, Kim (David) Rule of Dodgeville, and Shawn Dailey of Platteville; her grandchildren: Jessica (Justin) Warne, Rachel Kastner, Tyler Dailey, Sarah (Jon) Tichenor, Robbie (Amanda) Dailey, Kolten (Haley) Bartell, Kyler (Lisa) Bartell, Karsyn and Kurt Bartell, Kimirae (Brett) Gregory, William Tobin, Brian, Bryce, and Dru Dailey, Bailey and Brock Rule, Mason (Haley) Dailey, Brayden, Jenna, and Emma Dailey; seventeen great grandchildren; special cousin Barb Myers; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
She is proceeded in death by her parents, Anita and Ray; husband Donald Popp; siblings: Mary Rosemeyer, Janice Morfey, Patsy Plourde, Ruthie Dunham, and Rick Slack; son Kevin Dailey; daughters in-law Jane Schroeder, and Stacie Dailey; son in law Kyle Bartell; and first husband, Bruce Dailey.
The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to Heidi Millin and the team at Orchard Manor, Shannon Kase and Agrace Hospice, and Pastor MaryAnn Floerke for the exceptional care, compassion, and kindness they provided to Alyce.
In keeping with Alyce’s wishes, no formal services will be held. Those wishing to honor her memory are invited to make a donation in her name to the ASPCA or Wounded Warrior Project, two organizations she passionately supported and generously contributed to throughout her life.