George John Pappas

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle, George John Anthony “Gus” Pappas at the age of 94 on Friday June 26, 2026. His lovely bride of 70 years,“Chicky” survives.

George’s warmth, wit and merciful heart of gold will live on in the hearts of all his loved ones. His attentive love brought each of his children a check-in phone call everyday that will be greatly missed. He always brought his kids special gifts when he returned from business trips to New York City. He gave us wonderful vacations every year, trips to California, Lutsen and the Badlands. He was very indulgent with his love and care.

He is a Korean war vet and was a cryptographer while serving in the Air Force. He married his beloved wife Eleanore “Chick” Pappas and worked as a securities trader for several companies before settling at Merrill Lynch as a vice president. He loved his Catholic faith, his wife and his family. He was happiest at his cabin on beautiful Steamboat lake which they were blessed to enjoy for 20 years of retirement. Fishing, boating, gardening, enjoying and feeding the wildlife, and being with family were some of his favorite activities.

He was a Eucharistic minister at St Theodore Church in LaPorte, MN and he often attended St Charles in Cass Lake, MN. He was a long time parishioner at St Hedwigs and later was registered at St Charles Borromeo in St Anthony Village, MN.

He is preceded in death by his beloved son, John Pappas, grandson Johnny Roberts, two sisters and brothers-in-law, Helen and Max Johnson, Mary and Geno Rogers, and in-laws Melbourne and Audrey Larsen, Stan and Audrey Murzyn, Ardelle and Bob Nelson, Mary Jane and Vernon LaCombe and many friends and colleagues.

He is survived by his wife Eleanore “Chicky”; five daughters, Joan Pappas and Tom Romnes of Mpls MN, Mary Ann and Deacon Stan Zak of Lafayette IN, Donna Roberts and Don Schumacher of Spring Lake Park, Sally and Tim Gorman of Maple Grove, and Angie and Dan Richey of Fridley. There are 16 grandchildren, Rachel and Eddie Matthes, Elena and Chris Jensen, Jimmy Pappas, Joe and Charlie Romnes, Dr Mark and Michaela Glafke of Rome Italy, Drs. George and Rita Zak, Rev. Fr. Elliot Zak of Carmel IN and Nicholas and Anna Zak of London UK, Chis and Joy Roberts, Sara and George Schumacher, Tracey and Ryan Zinken, Nikki Pappas and Kelly Rautio of LaPorte MN, Jane Richey, Lauren Richey and also 15 great grandchildren, Cecelia, Virginia and Elise Matthes, Lucy and Izzy Jensen, Kazimir, Maximilian, Petra, and Edmund Zak, Stanislaw Zak, Henry, and Sophia Schumacher, Morgan Zinken, Mike and Seth Reetz and many nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to the Sisters and staff at the Little Sisters of the Poor in St Paul for their tender, loving, and superb care of George in his last 2 months of life.

Visitation on Thursday, July 2, 2026 from 5:00-8:00 pm with the Rosary at 7:30 pm at Sunset & Kapala-Glodek Funeral home, Minneapolis.

Mass of Christian Burial at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Minneapolis on Friday, July 3, 2026 at 11:00 am with visitation 1 hour prior which will be celebrated by his Grandson Rev. Fr. Elliot Zak and assisted by his son-in-law Deacon Stan Zak.

Burial will be held on Thursday, July 16. 2026 at 11:30 am at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis with military honors.