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What do you do when you’re left with a motorcycle you can’t ride and a collection of decorator pigs you don’t know what to do with?

Those were among the dilemmas Diane Popenhagen’s mother was facing when her husband died in addition to dealing with a myriad of financial arrangements and life-altering decisions to be made.

Her father’s death was the spark that led Diane and her husband, Mark Popenhagen, to start Caring Transitions, a business that helps seniors and their families with downsizing, moving, arranging appraisals and managing estate sales or liquidating assets.

Mark also learned the importance of having someone to assist with major changes. He helped his mother and sister move to a small house while his father recuperated from a stroke.

“Although I thought I understood the fullness of the benefits we can offer families, the direct reality of dealing with all the options, decisions and emotions has really confirmed the need for these types of services,” Mark said.

Although for now their business is home-based in Liberty, Caring Transitions is a national franchise with a proven record in helping guide those left behind after a death or other life-altering situation, Diane said.

“After the casseroles stop coming, you’re on your own,” Diane said. “That’s where we come in.”

Diane said they could help a widow or widower clean and prepare their house for sale, evaluate their belongings in preparation for an estate sale or online auction, help them declutter, downsize living arrangements and act as an advocate.

“Our focus is to minimize your stress and maximize your returns while slowing down to walk beside you through the rough patches on your family’s journey,” Diane said. “We believe no one should walk alone.”

Diane is a former stay-at-home mom and freelance writer and Mark is an independent contractor for DataSource Inc. in Kansas City and a minister for The Manna Quest, a Christian-affiliated, Bible church that meets in homes.

The skills they bring will be helpful in their new business, they said. The business is licensed and bonded, she said.

“We wanted something that gave us more freedom and began exploring different options,” Diane said. “We’re both entrepreneurs, and Mark felt drawn to this.”

She said they even help dispose of hazardous waste such as paint, herbicides and ammunition, medicine in the cabinets, get appraisals for specialty items like guns and collectibles, make arrangements with movers, help pack and unpack and resettle.

“We offer our services a la carte,” she said. “We’ll do as much or as little as they want us to do.”

They offer a no-obligation, free consultation for anyone who might be interested in their service. As a franchisee, Diane said the company headquarters provides them with a network of ongoing support and advice.

For more information, call 507-9643 or visit www.CaringTransitions.net/EasternKC.

THE DETAILS

- What: Caring Transitions

- Mission: Senior moving, downsizing and estate sales

- Owners: Mark and Diane Popenhagen

- Information: Call 507-9643 or visit www.CaringTransitions.net/EasternKC.

Liberty Editor Angie Anaya Borgedalen can be reached at 781-4941 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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