Helen M. Kaap

Helen Marie Kaap, 91, of Viroqua, died Thursday, March 4, 2010. Helen Marie Kaap, age 91, passed away on March 4, 2010, at Gunderson Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, to which she was admitted March 3 upon transfer from the Sannes Skogdalen Nursing Facility in Soldiers Grove.Helen was born August 19, 1918, the oldest of three children born toJoseph and Helen Teply. Soon thereafter the family moved to Muscoda and later to Manitowoc County where Joseph served as Pastor of the Melnick Presbitarian Church. She graduated from Manitowoc High School and later from Carroll College, Waukesha, WI.After teaching for a short time she married Karl Kaap of rural Fennimore. Initially the owned and operated the Valley Farms Dairy in Mt. Ida, Grant County, and thereafter they operated their own dairy farm in the same township for approximately 20 years.In 1965 Helen and Karl moved to their current residence in Kickapoo Township, Vernon County, located on Highway 14/61. Helen was still an elementary school teacher in Fennimore at that time,but later was employed at Washington School in the Richland Center school system.Following her retirement from teaching, Helen and Karl continued to enjoy their home, family and traveling. Helen was very active in community organizations including the Order of the Eastern Star, the Rebecca Lodge, and the Methodist churches of Fennimore and Readstown where she played piano/organ and sang in the choir. She also sang with the Sweet Adelines quartet for some time.Among all of her activities, perhaps being supportive and involved in the interests of her children and grandchildren was Helen's highest priority. She rarely missed a theatrical performance of her daughter, Kathleen; her son Keith's performing in the UW concert and marching bands, or the opportunity to visit her daughter Karolyn who lived in Italy where her husband was stationed in the Air Force. She continued in her later years to follow the activities of her grandson, Dustin, at Kickapoo High School, even bundling up in a snow-mobile suit to attend his football games.She is survived by her son, Keith Kaap, Kickapoo Township, Vernon County; daughter Kathleen Kaap, Madison; and daughter Karolyn Zimmerman and husband Gary Zimmerman in Klamath Falls, OR; her two grandsons Dustin Kaap, Rockford, IL and Zachary Zimmerman, Klamath Falls, OR; two great grandchildren Samual and Avery, Rockford, IL.Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Helen Teply, and later by her husband Karl in 1997; prior to that she lost her brothers, Wesley and Lester. Helen lived a full and active life and will be greatly missed by family, friends, and all who crossed her path. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 8, 2010 at the Viroqua United Methodist Church. Pastor Ethan Larson will officiate with burial in the Manning Cemetery, rural Readstown. Friends may call at the church on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. An Eastern Star service will be held at 10:45 a.m. followed by the funeral service at the church.Memorials will be donated to the Kickapoo Rescue Squad. The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is serving the family.