In Memory of Donald D. Grap

Donald D. Grap, age 93, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at his residence of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Private Family Memorial Service will be held with Rev. Neil Wehmas officiating.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Donald “Don” Dean Grap was born on October 23, 1930, in Persia, Iowa, to James and Viola (Dobernecker) Grap. He served in the U.S. Army from 1952-1954 and completed his basic training at Pickett, Virginia. Don was a medic at Percy Jones Army Hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan. He was then transferred to Regensburg, Germany, for radio repair school. Upon his honorable discharge, Don made his home in Council Bluffs, Iowa. 

On December 7, 1958, Don was united in marriage to Janice Lee Thies at the St. John’s Lutheran Church of Charter Oak, Iowa. They were blessed with 65 years of marriage and three children: Dean, John and Ruth. Don worked for Wilson Foods in Omaha, NE and retired from the Cherokee, Iowa, plant after 38 years of employment. 

On the dance floor waltzing was one of Don’s favorite things to do with Janice. The waltz was their favorite step and their song was “Could I Have This Dance.” Some of their best-loved places to dance were at Peony Park in Omaha and the Skate Palace in Ida Grove. 

Don was an avid fisherman and loved to fish for crappie. He was known as “crappie Don”. He went on many fishing trips to Canada as well as traveling to many of the Iowa lakes and ponds. He gladly provided his catch for many fish fries. Don was also an avid gardener and enjoyed picking fruit from his trees and vines to make homemade wines. But the legacy that Don was most proud of was the research he did on the Holy Bible. He spent many hours scouring maps for details and cut out interesting articles from the newspapers.

Left to cherish his memory include his wife Janice Grap of Ida Grove, IA; son John Grap of Denison, IA; daughter Ruth (Tony) Bennett of Ida Grove, IA; grandsons James Grap of Plattsmouth, NE and Thomas (Xeng) Grap of Denison, IA; granddaughters Christine (Eric) James, Amy Bennett, and Mary Bennett all of Sioux City, IA; brothers Arnold Grap, Gary Grap, Wayne Grap, and Darrell Grap; sisters Shirley (Tom) Lewis, Linda Goss, and Marlene (Darwin) Fager; sister-in-law Lou Ann Grap; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents James and Viola Grap; his son Dean Grap; brothers Edward (Ardith) Grap and Delmar Grap; sister-in-law Becky Grap.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the OABCIG School Needy Students Fund (900 John Montgomery Drive Ida Grove, Iowa 51445) or the Orphan Grain Train (1107 South Main Street Ida Grove, Iowa 51445).