George Elmer Lapp, 79
George Elmer Lapp, 79, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, as the result of a four-wheeler accident on his farm. He was born on June 25, 1930, in Creston, to Frank and Lena (Kauffman) Lapp.
George attended school at Deer Park, followed by two years at Hesston College in Hesston, Kan. He returned to the Flathead Valley where he married Kathryn Brenneman on Dec. 28, 1951. They lived in Columbia Falls on the family farm for 58 years where they raised their seven children.
George worked as a self-employed Fuller Brush salesman for 30 years, while also maintaining the farm. In 1983, George and his son, Charles, started raising pigs, continuing this operation until 1995 when he semi-retired. He continued growing hay to sell until the present time.
George attended Mountain View Mennonite Church where he was a member for many years. His unswerving devotion to the word of God led him to dedicate much time and energy to Gideons International. He enjoyed the many opportunities this provided to distribute Bibles at schools and other places, always with the goal in mind of giving the word of God to as many people as possible.
He enjoyed his grandchildren, doing whatever they liked to do. Some of his favorite activities included hunting, camping, playing table games, riding the tractor or the four-wheeler, eating chocolate, and drinking Mountain Dew. The children became his favorite helpers when cutting wood or doing other work on the farm.
His parents, three sisters and three brothers preceded George in death.
He is survived by his wife, Kathryn; seven children, Lois Lutke and Duane of Polson, Ron and Stella of Portland, Bonnie Clemmer and Duane of Bechtelsville, Pa., Sharon Hooley and Dwight of Kalispell, Charles and Mickey of Columbia Falls, Beverly Eash and David of Middlebury, Ind., and Janice Bodenbender and Brian of Holland, Mich.; 20 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and four brothers, Wayne, Ed and Jay of Kalispell, and Floyd of Mollala, Ore.
Funeral services for George will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Mountain View Mennonite Church, with Dwight Hooley officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today in the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Chapel. There will be a family burial prior to the services on Saturday.
The family suggests memorials be made to Gideons International.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for George's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view George's guestbook, offer condolences and share memories.