Phyllis Irene Johnson Jappe

Phyllis Irene Jappe, aged 92, died peacefully, surrounded by family, on January 31, 2015, at Prairie Home Hospice House in Marshall, after a brief struggle with bone cancer. Phyllis was born April 5, 1922, in Tracy, Minnesota, the daughter of Levi Johnson and Oma Cady Johnson. Phyllis graduated from Marshall High School then attended the Minneapolis School of Business in Minneapolis, MN. She later worked as a secretary for Northwest Airlines and Honeywell in the Twin Cities for several years before taking a grand adventure with two girlfriends for a few months to Colorado Springs, Colorado in her early 20’s. In the 1960's and '70's, she worked as a legal secretary and office administrator at the law office of Alger, Buzzell, and Larocque in Tracy. In 1946, Phyllis married Lars Peter Jappe. They farmed in several locations before settling on the Jappe family farm near Amiret. Just over a decade ago, Phyllis and Lars sold the farm and moved into Marshall. In addition to raising their four sons and being an active and devoted 4-H parent, Phyllis also enjoyed playing the piano, researching the family’s genealogy, taking photos and staying in touch with family members world wide via Facebook and other Internet channels. Even into her nineties, Phyllis was adept at downloading photos on her computer and emailing friends and family. She and Lars were avid square dancers who enjoyed many local/regional square dance events and traveled to several square dancing conventions throughout the country. Phyllis also planned and organized a life-changing and momentous cross-country trip in 1965 with Lars and their sons, made numerous visits to relatives and friends scattered from coast-to-coast over the years, and in 1991 fulfilled a lifelong goal—traveling to Europe to trace the family’s genealogic roots through the ages and connect with many foreign relatives. Always anxious for a travel adventure, Phyllis even flew from Minnesota to Colorado to visit her sons for the holidays in 2013 at 91. Phyllis was a loyal member of Christ United Presbyterian Church of Marshall and the Ladies Auxiliary for most of her adult life. She was also actively involved with genealogy and photography continuing education classes at Southwest State University. Phyllis is survived by her four sons, Lars Jr. of Queens, NY, William of Huntington Beach, CA, Bob (Jill) of Grand Junction, CO, and Steve (Patti) of Denver, CO, in addition to her 9 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and many dear cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, and husband, Lars, who passed away in 2010. Services will be held at Christ United Presbyterian Church, followed by refreshments and snacks in the meeting hall downstairs, 400 West Lyon Street, Marshall, MN at 10:00 am this Saturday, February 7, 2015. Online condolences may be placed at www.rehkamp-horvath.com. Memorials preferred to the Prairie Home Hospice House of Marshall.