Clarence Lapp, 83
Clarence Lapp, 83, "broke free from his tired and worn earthly body, into the presence of his Lord and Savior," on Monday, June 27, 2005, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Clarence was born at the family home in Creston on July 18, 1921, the sixth of 11 children, to Frank and Lena Lapp. He had been a resident of the Flathead Valley all of his life.
He married Leatrice Conner in 1942. They raised two daughters, Lela and Lynda. After her death, he married Margie Walters, and they raised two stepdaughters, Evelyn and Donna.
Clarence loved life and family. He was very active in the Christian and Missionary Alliance churches in the valley. He was a charter member of Evergreen Alliance Church, was instrumental in the building of the gym at Fellowship Alliance in Columbia Falls and most recently a member of Faith Alliance. He served in many capacities in his church throughout the years, and many of those years were spent teaching teens in Sunday school.
Through the years, Clarence was involved in many enterprises. During his early years, he was in outside sales at Gambles. He was in construction, developing Lapp's Addition in Evergreen, as well as many homes around the valley. Clarence had a great love for sales.
In January 1993, he married Elaine Chase. They lived in Columbia Falls and operated Lapp's Gardens until three years ago, when they moved into Kalispell.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Leatrice; his parents; two brothers, Willard and John; and two sisters, Anna and Esther.
Clarence is survived by his wife, Elaine, at the family home; his daughters and families, Lela and Garry Toavs, and Lynda and Brad Kenfield; grandsons, Randy and Sherry Toavs, Russell and Mishelle Toavs, Chris Lapp, Marcus Kelsey and Sean Toavs; and granddaughters, Renae and Dave Kramer, and Sharon and Nate Korns; 18 great-grandchildren; his sister, Mary Oesch; and five brothers Jason, Ed, Wayne, George and Floyd; and their families and six stepchildren and 10 stepgrandchildren.
Because of Clarence's love for the Camping Program at Dickey Lake Bible Camp and Conference Center, the family suggests memorial contributions to the New Dining Hall/Lodge Construction Project. Memorials may be sent to Dickey Lake Bible Camp c/o Renae Kramer, 740 Spruce Mountain Road, Columbia Falls, MT 59912.
Visitation for Clarence will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. June 29 at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 30, at Faith Alliance Church with burial to follow at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.