Jack was preceded in death by beloved daughter Daria.
Jack is survived by his sweetheart and loving wife of 63 years, Dar, children Kerstin Lappen (John Harriss); Shannon Romanstein (Stanley); Shawn Lappen (Lisa); grandchildren Matt, Daniel, Colin, Bailey, Sean, Liam, Alex, Jack, Ben, and he was happily awaiting the arrival of his first great granddaughter. There are simply no words to express what a good grandpa this man was, or how loved he was by each of his treasured grandkids.
Jack Lappen lived a life of resiliency, creativity and integrity. Born during the Depression, he faced many challenges in those early days but let nothing defeat him as he set his life in motion. A De La Salle graduate (Class of 1948) Jack joined the Navy after finishing school and returned home to begin what resulted in an illustrious 51-year career in the grain industry. While working as a broker at the Minneapolis Grain Exchange, he met the beautiful girl in the red pumps who would become the love of his life. Together, Jack and Dar went on to create a life of love, family and adventure. Jack taught his four kids how to rebound from challenges, build a home, reach further, live with integrity and--above all--love deeply and with a loyalty and devotion to family that exceeds all else. And those children, in return, loved him back fiercely and with a deep and abiding gratitude for his unwavering support and the example he set for them. Jack’s pride and joy was the home in New Brighton that he and Dar built in 1967, the two of them sometimes hanging sheetrock or tiling bathrooms after the kids were tucked in bed. Their lovely home with the beautiful gardens remains the showpiece of the neighborhood, and Jack loved it with his whole heart.
Jack and Dar filled that house with friends and neighbors and countless celebrations, and all agreed: no one could throw a party like those two! And for decades, Jack and Dar took every opportunity they could to explore the world together, traveling internationally and coming home with more friends to love and more stories to tell.
To live life so fully, to have loved and been loved so deeply; we are all so grateful for what this beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend taught us during his long and courageous life. Our love will go with him, always.
Mass of Christian Burial is Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at 10:30am at St. John the Baptist Church, 835 2nd Ave NW, New Brighton. Visitation one hour prior to the service.
Memorials preferred to Sharing & Caring Hands.
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