Kapple, Don

Funeral services for Don Kapple, 83, of Delta, will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013, at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in What Cheer. Burial will be in the Garrett Cemetery at Delta. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Friday with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the What Cheer Fire and Rescue. Friends can sign the online guest book at .

Donny Paul Kapple was born in What Cheer, Iowa on June 7, 1930, the son of Cleo and Zola (Grubb) Kapple. He was a 1948 graduate of What Cheer High School.

Don spent his early years growing up on the family farm. His life journey with Jean began at an early age. When the two were growing up they lived only a mile apart but didn't know each other until the eighth grade. They got engaged during Jean's junior year and were married Aug. 4, 1950, in Des Moines, Iowa. From that point on they never left each other's side.

Don worked at the What Cheer Pottery until he and Jean moved in with Jean's parents to help take care of her father. His love for farming drew him back and he began a partnership with Jean's dad, Frank Thomas. Don and Jean moved into a house just down from her parents where he continued to farm for the rest of his life. Hand in hand, Don and Jean tended the crops and cared for the livestock. His background of hard work served him well, and he has instilled that in his children.

Don enjoyed hunting pheasant and deer, as well as fishing. He and Jean would also partner up to do some woodworking. Don would do the building and Jean would do the finishing. They also enjoyed spending the winter months in Arizona, a tradition they did together for over 20 years. In Don's later years he began to enjoy caring for their yard, planting flowers, and landscaping. Anyone that new Don knew that he was a hardworking man who knew what a good handshake meant. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, and he will be deeply missed.

Don is preceded in death by his parents; and twin grandchildren, Chris and Ross Kapple.

Left to honor his memory are his wife, Jean, of Delta; and his four children, Larry (Connie) Kapple of Delta, Terry (Pamela) Kapple of Parnell, Randy Kapple of Ottumwa, and Nancy (Dante) Rebori of Springfield, Mo. Don was also blessed with 10 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many, many friends.

Published Dec. 14, 2013, in The Gazette