Herbert Emery Lapp

BRIGGSVILLE – Herbert Emery Lapp, 79, Briggsville/Reeseville, passed away Thursday, April 6, 2017, at the Columbia Health Care Center in Wyocena.

Herb was born December 23, 1937, in Marquette County, Douglas Township, the son of Emery and Ella (Whitrock) Lapp. Herb graduated in 1956 from Wisconsin Dells High School. He attended 2 years at the UW Madison, then transferred to UW Stevens Point for 2 years where he majored in physics and chemistry. He married Judith Gee on June 25, 1960, at the Pardeeville Methodist Church. Herb was known for his quick wit and could fix almost anything until he was diagnosed with dementia in 2013.

Herb was a Madison policeman in the 60s and was a chemist for Hamlin, Lake Mills and Thomas Industries, Fork Atkinson.

Herb had a love for nature. He got his first hive of honey bees at the age of 12. In May 1975, he went into business for himself. Along with his wife, Judy, and two sons, they managed over 1,500 colonies of honey bees. In January 1984, they purchased the 17,000 sq. ft. brick building located on the south end of Reeseville. On April 1, 1984, they opened a retail bee supply store, where they sold beekeeping supplies nationwide. His wife managed the store for 25 years until she retired. Upon their retirement, they moved to Briggsville, Herb’s home town. Living next to the mill pond and across the road from Lake Mason gave Herb great pleasure to watch the people fish and the boats come and go. He also enjoyed watching the beautiful sunsets.

Herb was a member of the Briggsville United Methodist Church.

He leaves behind the love of his life, wife Judy, Briggsville; son, Dean (Cathy), Briggsville; grandchildren, Kyle and Ryan Lapp and Hailey and Holden Lapp; brothers-in-law, Kenneth (Dorene) Gee, Blair, Nebraska and Lawrence (Newt) Wendt, Pardeeville; many cousins, nieces and nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his son, Steven Lapp, Reeseville, May 27, 2016; sister-in-law, Darlene Wendt, Pardeeville, April 30, 2014; parents, Emery and Ella Lapp; father- and mother-in-law, Elmer and Margaret Gee; many aunts and uncles.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2017, at Briggsville United Methodist Church with Rev. Susan Oeffler officiating. Inurnment will be private. Visitation will be at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Briggsville United Methodist Church.

The family would like to thank the staff all the caretakers on Willow Court for taking such good care of Herb. Also, thanks to the gals in Bookkeeping.

Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.