Col. Philip E. Pape

Wednesday, February 28, 2018 5:17 pm

Col. Philip E. Pape, 88, of Decorah, and formerly of Spring Hill, Fla. and Milwaukee, Wis., died Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah. Celebration of Life services will be held at a future date. Private family inurnment will be at a late date at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell with full military honors.

Philip Edward Pape was born June 6, 1929, in Milwaukee, Wis., the son of Rev. George and Inez (Blomiley) Pape. He lived in Mt. Morris, Wis. and Milwaukee, where he was a captain for the Milwaukee Police Department at District 4. He served in the U.S. Army and earned the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, was honorably discharged, then joined the Army Reserves and served for many years, earning the rank of Colonel. He lived the last 30 years in Spring Hill, Fla. Philip used to thank God for so many things in his life. He would say, “The Lord is always watching and guiding me.”

His first wife Ruth passed away in November 2005. He later married Jane (Fretheim) Bothe. Philip and Jane then moved to Decorah in May 2017, when the crabapple trees were in full bloom. It was so beautiful. They both said, “We must be in a small part of heaven!”

Philip is survived by his daughter, Pamela (Frank) Picciolo and their three sons: Steven, Paul and Michael; his son, Steven (Ami) Pape and their son, Joshua; four great-grandchildren: Amelia, Liliana, Tyler and Jake; and his second wife, Jane.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth; his parents, Rev. George and Inez Pape; one brother, Rev. Jim Pape; and one sister, Betty Sundberg.
Words of comfort: Psalm 73:26 – My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to Aase Haugen Senior Services, 4 Ohio Street, Decorah, IA 52101, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com.