David “Minnow” Gappa, age 56, lifelong resident of Parkers Prairie, died Friday, July 27, 2018, surrounded by his family at home. A Mass of Christian Burial is 11 a.m., Wednesday, August 1, 2018, at St. Williams Catholic Church in Parkers Prairie with Fr. Peter VanderWeyst officiating.
Music is provided by the church choir. Burial will take place at the church cemetery. Visitation is 4-8 p.m., Tuesday, July 31, 2018, at St. Williams Catholic Church and will continue one hour prior to the service.
David Grant Gappa was born March 8, 1962, to Richard and Joyce (Huwe) Gappa in Alexandria. He grew up in Parkers Prairie and was baptized and confirmed at St. Williams Catholic Church. He acquired the nickname “Minnow” in high school.
“Minnow” started working at the family business while still in school and graduated from Parkers Prairie High School in 1980. He married Denise Sibell in August of 1987, at St. Williams Catholic Church. He continued to drive bulk truck for Dick’s Standard/Gappa Oil for his career.
It was over a dead alternator that he met the love of his life Jody, at Dick’s Standard. They spent 20 years together before tying the knot at Chapel of the Oaks in rural Parkers Prairie on July 23, 2016. Dave was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in October of 2008.
He fought cancer valiantly for the next 10 years and his last fuel delivery was on February 17, 2018. Dave was an active member of the Parkers Prairie community. He was a member of the Parkers Prairie Fire Department, Parkers Prairie Sportsmen’s Club, Parkers Prairie Lion’s Club, Parkers Prairie Fishing League and St. Williams Catholic Church.
He especially enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time at Lake Ida. He was well known as the local official grill master and was the “chief of maintenance” at the Revering Cabin. He was preceded in death by his dad, Richard; grandparents, Walter and Freida Huwe and Joseph and Mary Gappa; step-father, Gilmore Jahnke; and niece, Natalie Thoennes.
“Minnow” is survived by his wife, Jody; children, Jake Gappa of Parkers Prairie, Cody (girlfriend, Paige Boroski) Sigfrid of Auburn, California, McKenzie (R.C.) Christensen of Miltona and Zach (girlfriend, Abby Pooler) Gappa of Parkers Prairie; grandson, Preston Christensen; mother, Joyce Jahnke of Parkers Prairie; brother, Rick (Deb) Gappa of Parkers Prairie; sister, Cathi (Scott) Boerner of Becker; extended family; Kayleen (Chuck) Pogulis of Maple Grove, Kim (Jan) Jahnke of Richmond; parents-in-law, Leroy and Margie Thoennes of Parkers Prairie; brothers-in-law, Bill (Melody) Thoennes of Alexandria, Steve (Sheila) Thoennes of Parkers Prairie, Randy (Michelle) Thoennes of Alexandria and Terri (Athena) Thoennes of Diamondhead, Mississippi; sister-in-law, Shari (Charles) Riedel of Evansville; nephews, Matt (Brittaney) Gappa, Aaron (Bri) Boerner, Grant Boerner, Derek Boerner, Brent Thoennes, Tyler Thoennes, Brandon Thoennes, Chander Riedel, Marshall Riedel and Tanner Riedel; and nieces, Kelly (Caleb) Olson, Jacki (Jake) Suchy, Torie (Jeremy) Gordhammer, Courtney (Jacob) Thoennes, Alyssa Thoennes and Isabella Thoennes. Pallbearers are Brad Smith, Tony Woodworth, Jeff Arnold, Kelly Simonson, Joey Simonson, Todd Lorsung, Dean Revering and Dan Revering. Honorary pallbearers are Shorty and Joyce Revering, and Brian “Moose” and Lisa Revering.
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