Zeno Kappes

Friday, October 28, 2022 1:00 am

Zeno A. Kappes, 92, of Burr Oak, IA, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, at Wellington Place in Decorah.

Zeno Anthony Kappes was born on January 27, 1930 in Fort Atkinson, IA to Leo and Bertha (Leibold) Kappes. He graduated from Cresco High School in 1948. On Feb. 26, 1949 he was united in marriage to Maxine White at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Cresco and to this union 9 children were born; Mary Ann, Linda, Dorothy, Duane, Donald, Sharon, Steven, Shirley, and Suzanne. After they were married, Zeno and Maxine lived at the Brown Zoo where Zeno worked for Leon Brown. After living near Ridgeway, they bought a farm east of Cresco where they raised their family along with crops, dairy cows, and hogs. Farming was Zeno’s life. Maxine passed away at the age of 49 on June 25, 1980. On May 13, 1982, Zeno married Helen Heying, who had 8 children of her own. Helen passed away on Nov. 29, 1991. On June 13, 1992, he married Helen (Keck) Ryan Knox, adding 6 more step-children to the family.

Zeno was a people person. He liked to make jokes and pick on those he loved. He could often be found enjoying a cup of coffee or playing cards, especially Euchre, 500, or Whist. He religiously attended morning coffee at Country Express on Highway 52. You’d often see him in his bib overalls on the farm or dressed up in blue jeans with large belt buckles, flannel shirts, and a toothpick in his mouth. His 92 years seemed all too short. He was so loved and will be deeply missed.

Zeno is survived by his wife Helen; children: Dorothy (Roger) Christensen of Estherville, Duane (Michelle) Kappes of Farmington, Minn., Don (Jodi) Kappes of Cresco, Sharon (Tim) Ryan of Lime Springs, Steven (Brenda) Kappes of Cresco, Shirley Olson of Merrifield, Minn., Suzy (Elvis) Cole of Zumbro Falls, Minn.; brother Leonard (Angie) Kappes of Cresco; step-children: James (Junia) Heying of Tiffan, Colleen Michels of Hazelton, Louis Heying of Calmar, Dean (Joy) Heying of Fort Myers, Fla., Gail Heying of Calmar, Karen Cook of Littleton, Colo., Elaine (Roland) Fay of Roland, Joe (Tara) Heying of Lakeland, Minn., Terry (Rhonda) Ryan of Cresco, Randy (Danette) Ryan of Decorah, John (Sue) Ryan of Cresco, Mark (Michele) Ryan of Decorah, David (Tracy) Ryan of Decorah, Troy (Stacey) Knox of Decorah; grandchildren: Rodney (Kelly) Ryan, Kerri (John) Vrey, Kristopher Olson, Dustin Ryan, Melissa Kappes, Stefanie (Chris Zuercher) Kappes, Justin (fiancee Courtney Vaske) Cole, Shannon (Brandon) Pecinovsky, Codey (Brittany) Hayek, 7 great-grandchildren, many step-grandchildren and dozens of step-great-grandchildren from his extended families.

He was preceded in death by parents, first wife Maxine, second wife Helen, infant daughters Mary Ann and Linda, sisters Rita Kappes, Elaine Kappes, brother and sister-in-law Neil and Kathy Kappes, and son-in-law Steve Olson.

Funeral Mass for Zeno will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022 at Assumption Catholic Church in Canton, Minn., with Father Edward McGrath officiating. Burial will take place at St. Bridget Cemetery in Bluffton, on Tuesday afternoon. Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. with the Rosary recited at 3 p.m. at Assumption in Canton on Monday, Oct. 31. Visitation will continue from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church on Tuesday.

The family would like to thank the staff at Wellington Place for their excellent care. Online condolences may be left at Hindtfuneralhomes.com