Donald A Paap

Donald A. Paap, 71, formerly of rural Garden City, died Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at Oaklawn Health Care Center in Mankato.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 26, 2008 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Vernon Center, MN. Burial will be in Vernon Center Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 25, 2008 from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Lake Crystal Mortuary, and one hour before services on Saturday at the church.

Donald was born in 1936 to Henry and Gertrude (Luedtke) Paap. He was baptized at St. John's Lutheran Church in Willow Creek. He was confirmed and a lifelong member at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Vernon Center. He attended the Oliver Country School and graduated from Garden City High School in 1954. He served in the United States Army until his honorable discharge in 1963. Don married Sherry Day, his high school sweetheart, in 1959, and their marriage was blessed with four children. Don spent his life as a farmer, and as he neared retirement, he also sold insurance and investment products. Don enjoyed traveling and camping with his family, and had traveled to 49 states. Don was very active in the church and community. He was a church elder, and served on the board of directors for the Vernon Center Township and Production Credit Association. Don also enjoyed music; he sang with the Riverblenders Men's Chorus for many years.

Don is survived by his son, Kevin (Julie) Paap of Garden City, son, Keith (Frances) Paap of Excelsior, daughter, Kari (John) Sehloff of Mankato, and daughter, Kristen (John) Genet of Cottage Grove. Don had ten grandchildren: Matt and Andy Paap, McKenzie and Sam Paap, Jason, Johanna, Katie, and Jonathan Sehloff, and Sarah and Anthony Genet. He is also survived by sister, Irma (Mike) McLean of New Ulm, sister, Annette (Fred) Wulff of New Ulm, sister-in-law, Nan (Rich) Davis of St. Charles, MO, and two nieces and three nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his wife, Sherry on July 2, 2007 and his parents.