Donald Edwin Pape

Donald Edwin Pape, 92, fell asleep in Jesus on August 20, 2023, and by Jesus’ grace, Don, was immediately received into heaven to be with the Triune God forever! All of this because Jesus died and rose for the forgiveness of his sins. On the last day, Jesus will raise Don’s body to be joined with his soul, and Jesus will hug him completely and finally with all the saints forever in the new earth and the new heaven.

Don graduated from St. Paul High School in Concordia, MO and earned a Bachelor of Education Degree from Concordia University, Seward, NE in 1953. He faithfully served the Lord as a Director of Music, Organist and Teacher for a total 36 years beginning in Faith Lutheran Church and School in Ingelwood, CA for four years and Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church and School in Omaha, NE for another five years. It was during that time in Omaha where he earned a Master's in Administration Supervision.

Continuing to move east, Don accepted a divine call to Zion Lutheran Church and School in Storm Lake, IA serving there for five years. His last call in 1968 was to Concordia Lutheran Church and School in Fort Wayne where he served for 22 years.

While he retired from teaching in 1989, he continued to play organ at Ascension Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church, both in Fort Wayne. He also served as Director and later member of the Lutheran Men of Song in Fort Wayne.

Don is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Betty L. (Schmidt) Pape of Fort Wayne, IN; children, Ellen Mann, Marcus E. (Kim) Pape, Erica Taylor, Ginger (Joel) Leinhos all of Fort Wayne, IN; Matthew J. (Ellen) Pape of Waldorf, MD; Gregory J. (Ayumi) of Keller, TX; Karla (Steve) Harris of Auburn, IN; sister Mary Krueger of Monroe, MI; sister-in-law, Dorethea Pape of Liverpool, NY; 17 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin A. and Florence (Frerking) Pape, and a brother, Roger L. Pape.

Funeral service and celebration will be 11:00 am Saturday, September 2, 2023, at Concordia Lutheran Church, 4245 Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN with visitation one hour prior. Visitation also from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, September 1, 2023 at D.O. McComb and Sons Maplewood Park Funeral Home, 4017 Maplecrest Road, Fort Wayne, IN. Burial immediately at Highland Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Concordia Lutheran Church or Worship Anew. To sign the online guestbook for the Pape family, visit www.mccombandsons.com.