Lillian Lapp

Picha Funeral Home, Locally Owned and Operated

Providing Friendly, Courteous and Dignified Funeral Service

Lillian C. Lapp, 82, formerly of rural Wisconsin Dells, died Friday, April 10, 2008 at the Omro Care Center after suffering the effects of Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body dementia for eight years.

Lillian Clare Colburn was born June 29, 1925 in Lewiston Township, Columbia County, the daughter of the late Arthur and Veronica (nee Meyer) Colburn. She graduated from Portage High School and earned a degree in cosmetology following high school. During World War II, she worked at the Badger Army Ordnance Plant, where she tested gunpowder.

She married Ivan Lapp on April 27, 1946 at the Big Spring Congregational Church. She and Ivan moved to Milwaukee where she worked in beauty shops.

 In 1950, they returned to the Lapp family farm in New Haven Township, Adams County, and Lillian worked for beauty shops in the Dells and Portage before opening her own shop in their home. In 1961, the couple and their three children moved to a home two miles away in Big Spring. There she also opened a beauty shop, which she ran until her retirement in 1987. She was a member of the Wisconsin Cosmetology Association and served on its state board and as its secretary for many years.

Lillian was a member of the Big Spring Congregational Church, where she served as treasurer and clerk for several years. She was also a long-time member of the church’s Ladies Aid and was its treasurer and president for many years. She taught Sunday school for a number of years.

She was a member of the Lake Mason Rebekahs, the Briggsville American Legion Auxiliary, which she served as president, and a former member of the local homemakers group.

Lillian loved children, and she and Ivan opened their home to Rita Farrell Smith so she could continue in high school in Wisconsin Dells while her father lived in Arizona and for several months to Betty and Patty Eckerd so they could continue in the Big Spring School while their home was being rebuilt after a fire. She also was the general leader of the New Haven 4-H club for years. Many children in the community called her grandma.

She was a cook, who supplied main dishes and baked goods for many community events. She loved to garden, and she and Ivan were known for the strawberries and raspberries they raised and sold. What came from the garden also ended up as pickled, frozen and canned. She made quilts and crocheted many an afghan and baby blanket, which she gave to relatives and friends.

She is survived by a son, Lawrence (Mary) Lapp, of Menomonie; two daughters, Kathleen “Kay” Lapp James of Wisconsin Dells and Marilyn (Larry) Belter of rural Berlin; three grandchildren, Justin Lapp, of Minneapolis, Minn., Dustin (Jennifer) Lapp,  of  New Hope and Kristina Lapp of Stevens Point; a sister, Lorraine Ryan of Chicago; special friends, Rita and Bruce Smith of Big Flats, and children, Apryl (Ben) Brantley and son Owen, of Larsen, Lance and Tami Smith and children, Jacob and Madisyn, of Berlin, and Aaron Smith of Stevens Point; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan in 1995; a grandson, John James in 1999; a sister Vivian Joyce, and a brother, Royal Colburn.

 A memorial service will be on Tuesday, April 15 at 2 p.m. at the Big Spring Congregational Church, preceded by visitation at the church from 12:30 p.m. until the time of services. Pastor David Bowman will officiate. Inurnment will follow at Big Spring Cemetery.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Big Spring Congregational Church building fund or to either the Lewy Body Dementia or Alzheimer’s associations.