David Kapplehoff

David Kapplehoff, 72, a lifelong resident of Racine, Wisconsin entered the eternal home of his Father and Savior Jesus Christ on January 31, 2016 at All Saints Hospital in Racine. David Lawrence Kapplehoff was born to Lawrence and Mildred (Solberg) Kapplehoff on Wednesday, May 26, 1943 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Racine, Wisconsin. Although he never married, he was many things to many people. Saved at camp as a child, he acted out his faith in serving others. He had a big heart of compassion especially for the elderly who were lonely and was known to have taken one or two of these on a trip to California.

After the age of five, both Kapplehoff brothers grew up mostly in foster homes. David devoted his latter adult life to taking care of his long term foster mother, Rhoda until her death. It was then that he moved into the Tree House on 4th Avenue – a home he had owned for many years at that time. His home was testament to his high standards. He would tell stories of how he built and rebuilt his fireplace by hand. Everything in the Tree House had to be the best there was.

With a 5 ½ year age gap between him and his brother, David recalled going door to door with his mother selling cakes before they moved to the homestead on Five Mile Road. After he started living in foster homes, his father kept in contact with his sons bringing them home for visits. On one such visit he and his brother Phillip once built a bridge across a pond on or close to his father’s homestead. On another occasion, Phillip vividly remembers a bike trip they took together to East Troy. They were also privileged to visit both World’s Fairs in Montreal and New York City. David once told a story of how they got lost in Montreal ending up on the wrong side of the bridge and resorting to taking a taxi to get back to their hotel.

His hobbies were many but most notable among them were photography and travel. As a photographer he was a perfectionist often taking the same picture over and over until it was perfect. His travels involved all sorts of travel modes especially the Mississippi Delta Queen and train rides. He loved the Wisconsin Dells, a place he knew like the back of his hand. He also had an annual pass to the Racine Zoo where he established a special connection with the zoo staff. He enjoyed taking walks in his neighborhood and getting to know people on his route. One of his dreams was to visit the country of Israel. That dream never materialized but today he is in the presence of the Great Shepherd of God’s Chosen people Israel.

Much like his father, David would strike up conversations with almost anyone, especially people from the Racine area and share things about the city of Racine with them. He was sort of a historian for the city of Racine to anyone who would listen. Once during a trip to attend his brother’s wedding in Canada, he went out of his way to take his parents to visit Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada. A trip to Nashville with his parents was also one of those special trips. It was just the way God wired him. He would give his shirt off his back for someone else.

People were very important to him. Not only did he care for the elderly, he had a special bond with his Aunt Doris and Great Aunt Adelaide whom he visited frequently. David loved his birthday. He believed people shouldn’t be alone on their birthdays. Without revealing when his birthday was, he would go to visit his cousins, Jerry and Patty Tessmann then living in Indiana on the Memorial Day Weekend bringing his slides with him so he wouldn’t be alone. It took several years for Jerry and Patty to catch on why he came when he did.

In 2008 he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Having been a server, it was difficult for him to accept help from caregivers and others but he did it with great grace. He is predeceased by his parents, aunts and uncles, two half -brothers Bob and Larry and Vince and Madonna Martens his Sunday school teachers who “adopted him” with their hearts. Survivors include his brother Phillip (Naomi) Kapplehoff (Arizona), a special “sister” Cheryl Martens Hunt (Minnesota) ; nieces Kendra (Chip) Heffelfinger and Nadine both of Arizona; his nephew Rhome (Washington); 3 great nieces and nephews Ryan, Reagan and Jack, his half-sister Nancy as well as many friends and cousins. A very special thanks go out to all his care givers as well as the staff of All Saints Hospital who served him so well during his last few years.

A Memorial service will be held at North Calvary Memorial Church, 5734 Douglas Ave, on Sunday May 29, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. Burial will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32 on Friday May 27, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. In Lieu of flowers contributions can be given to WVCY radio station Trail Ridge camp scholarship fund at 3434 W Kilbourn Av, Milwaukee, Wi 53208 or Our Harmony Club at P O Box 457, Sturtevant, WI 53177.