Richard Tappe

Richard Allen Tappe, age 83, passed into eternal rest on March 26th. He died as he lived, with strength and deep faith, and surrounded by the love of his family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM Monday March 31, 2025, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with Msgr. Kevin McCoy officiating. Burial will follow in Corpus Christi Cemetery. There will be a visitation on Sunday March 30, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Laufersweiler Funeral Home with a Rosary at 4:30 PM and a Vigil at 7:00 PM.

Dick was born in Dallas, SD on December 12, 1941, to Albert Tappe and Vera Hamilton Tappe. The family moved to Butte, NE before eventually settling in Fort Dodge. He attended St. Edmond High School but needed to work to help support the family and never finished his schooling. And he was one of the most deeply intelligent people you could ever meet. He had a thirst for knowledge that never ended. You couldn't take a drive without hearing him explain the geologic processes that formed the landscape. He was equally ready to talk theology or spirituality, history or politics. He loved to know things.

He and Phyllis Hardgrove fell in love and were married on September 22, 1962. Through 62 years of marriage they shared a tender, devoted love that produced six beautiful children. They were happy together, and would often take trips to go fishing, rock hunting, or what they called "the joint" - a trip to the casino.

He was ordained a permanent deacon on May 24th, 1980, at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City. He was a gifted homilist and preacher and was very devoted to his ministry as a deacon, offering help to anyone. He was an especially generous person, giving time, attention, and advice. His gift for listening and understanding people helped anyone who was blessed to know him.

He loved the outdoors and would fish and hunt as often as he could. He was a gifted builder and woodworker. He was often found in his shop building cabinets, up on a scaffold replacing siding, or remodeling the kitchen. He worked hard and did whatever was necessary to support his family. Dad would always tell us that what he wanted most in life was his family. He loved us very well and all of his grandkids have so many happy memories of Grandpa. He was a giant of a man who never tried to be.

He is survived by the love of his life Phyllis, son David (Judee) Tappe of Fort Dodge, Chris (Stephanie) Tappe of Boise, ID, daughter Sarah (Lincoln) Dziekonski of Helena, MT, and son Stephen (April) Tappe of Sioux Falls, SD, as well as 23 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren, and his three sisters, Marolyn, Carolyn, and Lila.

He was preceded in death by his daughters Cindy and Kathy, parents Vera and Albert, brother Lyle, and sister Jeannette.

Memorials may be left to family discretion.