Stapp, Richard Elias (1943-1984)

STAPP, JENSEN, GRAHAM, MILLER, BURR, HALL, ELLWANGER

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 2/9/2023 at 07:06:39

Daily Freeman Journal
Webster City, Iowa
Monday, September 17, 1984

Highview Crash Fatal to W.C. Driver

R.E. Stapp is victim of auto mishap

A one-car accident late Saturday night at Highview claimed the life of Richard E. Stapp, 41, Webster City, when his auto crashed into a utility pole.

A report filed at the sheriff's office indicated the mishap occurred shortly before 11:30 p.m. when Stapp, heading eastbound on Highway 20 lost control of his car about 500 feet east of the Highway 20-17 intersection at Highview.

The car, moving at a high rate of speed, first hit a road sign, then continued on to strike a utility pole.

Members of the Webster City fire department rescue crew were called to the scene at 11:24 and found the driver pinned inside the wreckage which was wrapped around the pole.

The "Jaws of Life" equipment had to be used to extricate Stapp who was taken to Hamilton County hospital from where he was taken by a Lifeflight helicopter to the Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines where he died early Sunday morning from multiple injuries.

His death was the fifth fatality of the year in Hamilton county, according to the sheriff's office.

Funeral services for Mr. Stapp have been tentatively set for Wednesday morning at 10:30 at the Church of Christ in Webster City with Don Bayse officiating and with burial in Graceland cemetery.

Friends may call after 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Laufersweilers Funeral home in Fort Dodge and after 8:30 Wednesday morning at the Church of Christ.

Richard Elias Stapp, son of Dallas and Anna [Jensen] Stapp, was born March 24, 1943 at the Hamilton County hospital in Webster City. He attended schools in Eagle Grove and graduated from Eagle Grove high school in 1961.

He then attended Iowa Central Community college in Eagle Grove and was graduated from the Cincinnati School of Mortuary Science in 1965.

He was married to Kathy Graham in 1963.

He is survived by four children, Debra Dawn Stapp of Des Moines, Angela Ann Stapp, Richard Jr and Robert Allen Stapp, all of Webster City; also his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dallas Stapp of Webster City; four sisters, Mrs. Robert (Delma) Miller and Mrs. Helen Burr, both of Webster City, Mrs. Gary (Betty) Hall of Newport News, Va., and Mrs. George (Rosemary) Ellwanger of Des Moines, 16 nieces and nephews and 13 great nieces and nephews.

In 1967 he became owner and operator of the Jongwaard-Stapp Funeral home at Rock Rapids and in 1977 moved to Webster City, at which time he became employed at the Laufersweiler funeral home in Fort Dodge.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Elks Lodge at Fort Dodge, the Moose Lodge of Webster City and the Order of the Foresters.

Memorials may be made to the discretion of the family.