Ralph Orville Nappe

Ralph O. Nappe, 87, of Mantorville, died Thursday, August 30, 2012 at the Fairview Care Center in Dodge Center surrounded by loving family.Ralph was born June 27, 1925 in Lake Mills, IA to Tolleff and Hannah (Vange) Nappe. He was baptized and confirmed at the Sion Lutheran Church in Lake Mills. On November 21, 1944, Ralph began active duty with the United States Army during WWII and was honorably discharged in 1946. On September 22, 1956, he was united in marriage to Evelyn B. (Todd) Nappe at Our Saviours Lutheran Church Chapel in La Crosse. After working as a maintenance worker for the Minnesota Department of Transportation for over 15 years, Ralph retired on January 6, 1988.In their 55 years of marriage, Ralph and Evelyn enjoyed traveling to Arizona and New Mexico in their 5th-wheeler and planning road trips to visit family. Ralph loved watching sports, especially the Twins, Vikings, and Iowa basketball and wrestling. His genuine smile, kind heart, and positive role model qualities will always be remembered by those who loved him.Ralph is survived by his daughters, Deanna (Ronald) Peterson of Houston, MN and Carol (Virgil) Andrist of Mantorville; 6 grandchildren, Dana (Dan) Kildahl, Tricia (Eddie) Wateski, Dawn Peterson, Troy (Jamie) Andrist, Chad (Katie) Andrist, and Jessica (Charlie) Bradford; 14 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandson; sister, Alice (James) Kambanos of Glendale, AZ; brothers, Stanley (Betty) Nappe of Norway, IA and Donald (Carol) Nappe of Kensett, IA; and by several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Evelyn in 2010; brothers, Wilmer, Leonard, and Orlyn Nappe; sisters, Thelma Adam and Ruth Brenno; and grandson, Ricky Peterson.Memorial service will be held at 10:30am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service-Hansen Goodview Chapel with visitation one hour prior. Pastor Timothy Nappe from Harbor of Joy Lutheran Church in Milford, IA will officiate. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Winona with full military honors provided by the American Legion Leon J. Wetzel Post #9. The family prefers memorial contributions be made to the Fairview Care Center in Dodge Center, Harbor of Joy Lutheran Church, or donor's choice.Please share a memory of Ralph with his family, sign the online guestbook, and view his video tribute when it becomes available online at www.hofffuneral.com."Be kind to one another." -Ralph O. Nappe
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/331170