Delmar A. Pap

DELMAR A. PAP was born on March 24, 1930, in Doon, Iowa. He was one of seven children born to Albert and Susie (Van Engen) Pap. He attended the Bell School house in the country near Doon. He graduated with the class of 1948 from Sheldon High School in Sheldon, Iowa. On December 1, 1950, he was united in marriage to Joyce Ellerbroek at his mother’s home on the edge of Sheldon. Shortly thereafter, he was drafted into the United States Marine Corps and the family moved from one coast to the other. After his honorable discharge in 1953, the family moved to Sheldon and farmed his mother’s land. In 1956, the family moved to a farm seven miles north of Beaver Creek, Iowa and farmed there. From 1956 to 2006, Delmar was a farmer near Beaver Creek. During that time the family spent three years in Phoenix, Arizona while he dealt with health problems. Delmar and Joyce bought a cabin in Park Rapids, Minnesota and spent many summers there. In the late 1990s, the two moved to the Twin Cities to be nearer to their children. To use his own words, Delmar “lived a good life.” On January 31, 2015, Delmar died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Coon Rapids, Minnesota at the age of 84 years, 11 months, and seven days.

Delmar was a respectful, intelligent, and wise man. His wisdom was sought and valued by many. He always lived by example, both with his excellent work ethic and his love of enjoying life. Among the many things he enjoyed were college football and basketball, golfing, telling jokes, and spending time up at the cabin. Delmar and Joyce always enjoyed going to the Hubbard United Methodist Church in Park Rapids where they enjoyed the singing and music. Delmar was especially proud of his children and grandchildren; he respected them and was always there to give a word of encouragements or advice. Most of all, Delmar loved spending with his wife, children, and grandchildren; they were as much a blessing to him as he was to them.

Delmar is lovingly remembered by his devoted wife of 64 years, Joyce, of Coon Rapids, MN; five children, Brian of St. Paul, MN, Michael (Laurel) of Sioux Falls, SD, Bruce (Mary) of Lino Lakes, MN, Barbara (Steven) Nyhammer of Andover, MN, and Kelly (Valerie) of Lino Lakes; 13 grandchildren, Angela Jude, Jesse Pap, Charles Pap, Anthony Pap, Phillip Pap, Callie Sopiwnik, Trina PaStarr, Jessica Pap, Jordan Pap, Alexandra Lyons, Cullen Lyons, Evangelina Nyhammer, and Elijah Nyhammer; six step-grandchildren, Jessica Doyle, Erin Carlson, Elsa Carlson, Emily Eckman, Matt Nyhammer, and Trent Nyhammer; four great-grandchildren, Isabella Pap, Courtney Jude, Kayce Jude, and Alba Sopiwnik; siblings, Pearl DeJong of Alton, IA, Shirley Arends of Fort Dodge, IA, John (Carrie) of Salt Lake City, UT, and Kenneth of Hilton Head, SC; and many other family and friends. Delmar was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Susie; one grandson, Tanner Pap; and his sisters, Jeanette Brinkman and Glenda Lode.