Jay William Lapka, 1958-2023

Jay William Lapka passed away on April 11, 2023 at 64 years of age. He died at home with his family . He was born on October 4, 1958, in Leola, South Dakota to George and Leona Lapka.

Jay was born with Downs Syndrome. He did go to a school in Aberdeen for a while but Jay was not meant to be a scholar. When he was eleven he moved with his family to Montana. It was there in the Swan Valley that his brother John taught him to chop wood. He became a champion wood chopper. He was still chopping wood last fall. He filled the wood box until he couldn't carry it anymore and then John put it in a bucket and he would put it in the woodbox.

The only worry Jay ever had was if he was going to get supper on time. He loved to eat and one could set their clock by when he showed up in the kitchen.

Jay is survived by his brothers John (Sue), and Gary (Audrey) and a sister Ruth (Adrian), and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded by his mother Leona Lapka, father George Lapka, brother Henry Lapka, and nephew Peter Lapka.

Rosary will be in the Ovando Gym on April 22, 2023 at 9:00 am and Requiem Mass will be at 10:00 with burial following. After the burial, there will be a pot luck luncheon at 81 St. Benedict Lane in Ovando.