Date of Birth:
Thursday, July 9, 1936
Date of Death:
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Age:
74 years old

Gordon D. Kappel

Gordon Dean Kappel, 74, of Rochester, passed away on August 17, 2010 at Seasons Hospice Home.  Gordon was born on July 9, 1936 in Woonsocket, SD to Harold and Helen Kappel.  After graduating from Woonsocket High School in 1954, he attended Electrician Trade School in Minneapolis at Northwestern, graduating in 1957. In 1960, he married Betty Kruse in Madison, WI.  The couple moved to Great Falls, MT where Gordon worked for IBM. After the birth of their two children, the family was transferred with IBM to Shokan, NY where they lived for eight years. In 1973, the family moved to Rochester. His wife, Betty, passed away in 1989, and in 1990, Gordon married Libby Sayre Blade. After nearly 35 years of service, Gordon retired from IBM in 1990.
Gordon is survived by his wife, Libby; a son, Glen (Tammy) Kappel and grandsons, Kyle and Matthew, of Eagan; a daughter, Brenda Kappel of St. Paul; two brothers, Robert (Phyllis) Kappel of Woonsocket, SD, and Marvin (Arlene) Kappel of Baxter, MN.  Gordon is also survived by his stepchildren; Timothy (Donna) Blade of Owatonna, MN, Trent (Unjoo) Blade of Iraq, Troy Blade of St. Paul, MN, and Tricia (Robert) Bixby of Seattle, Washington; and Six stepgrandchildren.  He is preceded in death by his first wife, Betty, and his parents.

Gordon loved golfing, outdoor sports, woodworking, his grandsons and coffee with his buddies. The Kappel family extends a very special “thank you” to the staff at Seasons Hospice for the incredible loving care, compassion and support they provided for Gordon.

The funeral service for Gordon Dean Kappel will be at 10:30 AM on Saturday, August 21, 2010 at Redeemer Lutheran Church with the Rev. James Heining officiating. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens, Rochester. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Friday, August 20, 2010 at Macken Funeral Home, and one hour prior to services at the church.

Memorials are preferred to Seasons Hospice, Redeemer Lutheran Church, American Cancer Society, or donor’s choice.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com
Macken Funeral Home in Charge of Arrangements.