Bappe, David Lee 1931 - 2015

BAPPE, MCCOY, ROELOFSEN, FITTS, DARLING HUINKER, MERTEN, PETERSON, PIEPER, SATHER, WILSON, CHERKAS, ARNOLD

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/29/2015 at 10:52:56

Dave Bappe age 83, of Decorah, IA died Thursday May 21, 2015 at the Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home in Decorah.

Funeral Services will be 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church at 302 West Broadway in Decorah with Rev. John Caldwell presiding. Burial will be in the Phelps Cemetery in Decorah.

Visitation will be from 4:00 -7:00 p.m. Tuesday, at Schluter Balik Funeral Home in Decorah and after 12:00 at the church on Wednesday

David Lee Bappe was born on October 11, 1931 to David Marquardt Bappe and Charlotte (McCoy) Bappe in Ames, Iowa. David graduated from Ames High School in 1950 where he lettered in football and basketball. He enrolled at Iowa State Teachers College, but the Korean War was in progress. Instead of being drafted, David enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was assigned to the crypto-teletype unit. After securing his top secret clearance, he was assigned to the Pentagon in Washington, DC for two years and then went to the Far East for 2 years. After receiving an honorable discharge in 1955, he enrolled at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree. He taught and coached at Woodward and Humboldt Iowa. In 1970, he accepted a job with Student Personnel Services at Area One Technical School, Calmar, Iowa. In 1988, Dave became the Winneshiek County Veterans Affairs and County Relief Director retiring in 1995. On December 30, 1954 in Ames, Iowa, at the Methodist Church, David married Norma Roelofsen. To this union three sons were born; Daniel, James and Robert. The family enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and finding mushrooms. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, serving on the Administrative Board, Pastor-Parish Committee, the V.F.W. and the American Legion in Decorah. In 1985, the family planted Christmas trees and started Holiday Pines Christmas Tree Farm. They enjoyed meeting families and creating many memories. In 2001, Dave was president of Iowa Christmas Tree Growers Association. On May 15, 2015 Dave entered Winneshiek Medical Center and was diagnosed with metastasis prostate cancer. He was transferred to Barthell OES Home in Decorah where he passed away on May 21, 2015.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Norma, his sons James (Cindy), Decorah, Robert (Gena), Hartford, SD, his grandchildren: Brooke (Beau) Fitts, Brandon, SD, Blake (fiancée Sarah Seidel) Bappe, Mitchell, SD, Teesha (fiancé Scott Helms) Bappe, West Union, IA and Jarred Bappe, Decorah, great-grandchildren: Kennedy and Kelby Fitts, Brandon, SD. Step-grandchildren: Brad Darling and Kristy (Lee) Huinker, Decorah and step great-grandchildren: Bradan and Brody Darling, Jackson and Mason Huinker. Other survivors include his sister Jan (Joe) Merten of Many, LA, a nephew Christian Peterson, Ft. Worth, TX, a niece Christine Pieper, Blanchardville, WI, great nieces: Katie and Mackenzie Sather, Blandchardville, WI,. Brothers-in-law: Don (Carol) Wilson, Charlotte, NC, Dale (Liz) Wilson, Mineral, VA, Doyle (Katie) Wilson, Moon Twp, PA. sister-in-law: Nancy (Ron) Cherkas, Ankeny, IA, former daughter-in-law: Tina Bappe, Decorah, and many cousins

David was preceded in death by his parents, a son Daniel, his sister Katie Pieper, and a niece, Inger Sue Arnold.

Source: Schluter - Balik Funeral Home database

Phelps Cemetery
 

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