Stapelkamp, Zachary Steven 1992 - 2022

STAPELKAMP, DUERRE, LARSON, HEROLD, PETERSON, BOHR, WELTI, NAGLE, GOSCH, IVY, NITSCHKE, LAIS

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/22/2024 at 16:07:25

Zachary (Zach) Steven Stapelkamp, loving father, son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend to all whoever met him, took his life February 17, 2022.

Beloved son of Eric and Carrie Stapelkamp was born September 27, 1992, in Mason City, IA. Zach lived in Cresco with his parents and sister Zoie, until August 2006. He graduated from Northwood-Kensett in 2011. He moved to Colorado Springs, CO in the spring of 2013 with his cousin Andy Stapelkamp. About a year later he moved back to Northwood, so he was closer to his family. Over the years, Zach had miscellaneous jobs around the area. The jobs he enjoyed most were farming and lawn care. Zach battled addiction as a young man. In the fall of 2016, Zach took his life back from the addiction that had consumed him. Over the years, Zach would continue to battle his addictions. It was one heck of a roller coaster ride, but Zach came out on top from the addiction. December 2016, Zach moved to Frontenac, KS with his Mom, Dad and Sister. While he lived in KS, he worked at a motorsports store and as a table game dealer at a casino. His most recent “job” was being a stay at home dad to his son Daniel, his “Little Burrito”.

Who was Zach Stapelkamp? Zach was the kindest soul you would ever meet. Zach was a “Big Teddy Bear” and gave the best “bear” hugs. He was always the first to spark a conversation and the conversations always ended up being pure laughter. He had a contagious smile and booming laugh that lit up any room he was in. He was the perfect gentlemen, the first to hold the door for others. Some people in his circle would refer to him as an “old soul”; but this was meant in a good way, not a mean or derogatory way.

Manners were extremely important to him, please and thank you were a must. He was always the first to say, “I love you” and he’d say it every time he’d leave or go to bed. He was a champion dad joke teller and had the best one-liners. Zach embodied a wittiness and dry sense of humor that you either got it, or you didn’t. He would laugh regardless.

He was truly one of a kind.

Zach was a protector from the time he was a young boy until his passing; especially when it came to his family. Bullying was not allowed or tolerated in any fashion. Recently becoming a father, he already was the best dad to his son, Daniel. As a young child, Zach loved his time hunting turkey and pheasant with Grandpa Duerre and the crew. When it came to deer hunting, Grandpa Stapelkamp and their crew were the group you’d find him with. Recently, Zach had been talking about getting back into hunting and teaching little Daniel-they were already watching hunting videos together.

Unfortunately, Zach had demons that plagued him, but he is now at peace. His light was extinguished way too soon. He has left us all broken and lost, mourning another good soul gone too soon. “You’re Not Alone” Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255. If you, or anyone you know, is suffering; please reach out to them and provide them this number. All it takes is one phone call to save someone’s life.

Our hearts are broken and will never fully heal. The questions will always be there with never the right answers. Now we must celebrate a life taken too soon. Share Zach’s story as our own. Look to those people who may need our help. We must be present. We must be outgoing. We must be like Zach, bigger than life and share our smile and laughter.

Zach’s survivors include his son, Daniel Steven (little burrito), parents, Eric and Carrie Stapelkamp, sister, Zoie Stapelkamp. Zach’s special friend and mother to Daniel, Izabella Larson and her daughter Layla. Grandparents; Bucky and Terry (Herold) Duerre; and Wayne and Evelyn (Peterson) Stapelkamp. Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins include; Andy (Missy), Mason (Kim) Ivy, McKena Duerre, Matt (Lindsey), Tahlia, Boden, Korbin Duerre; Dan, Payge (Conway), Lawson (Olivia) Duerre; Brian (Kate), Marijo Stapelkamp; Neal (Lori) Stapelkamp, Jennifer (David), Evelyn, Zayne, Gabriel Nitschke; Andy (Angie), Brecken Stapelkamp, Nikki (Derrick), Ryan, Lauren, Raelynn, Jaxon Fortney; Collin (Raven), Kaydence, and McKenna Lais; and Keri Lais. Along with several great aunts, uncles and cousins from the Stapelkamp’s, Duerre’s, Herold’s and Gosch’s.

Zach is proceded in death by his great grandparents; Orvie and Fran (Bohr) Herold, Thomas and Edith (Welti) Duerre, Henry and Esther (Elton) Peterson, and George and Winnie (Nagle) Stapelkamp; Great Uncle John Gosch and Cousin Bill Gosch.

I see a Blue El Camino traveling a gravel road. Zach is sitting in the passenger seat with the biggest smile. He looks towards the driver, an older man with a pencil drawn mustache and toothpick in his mouth looks back. “Let’s get us some trout!”

Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home database