Louis ‘Lou’ Fredrick Papke
Obituary
Louis Lou Fredrick Papke
Soldotna resident Louis “Lou” Fredrick Papke died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2005, at his home in Soldotna from cancer. He was 73.
Memorial services will be held at 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 7, at Soldotna Bible Chapel, 300 W. Marydale Ave. in Soldotna. Pastor John Rysdyk will officiate. A reception will immediately follow the services at the church. His ashes will be scattered on Lake Michigan at a later date.
Mr. Papke was born Aug. 17, 1932, in Grand Rapids, Mich. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich.
Mr. Papke entered into the U.S. Navy on April 14, 1950, serving during the Korean War until he was honorably discharged June 30, 1953.
He had lived in Homer from 1991 until 1993, then moved to Soldotna.
Mr. Papke was a member of the Soldotna Bible Chapel and taught Bible studies at Soldotna Senior Citizens Center and volunteered at Kenai Senior Citizens Center. He was self-employed and had served as a chaplain at Wildwood until illness prevented him from visiting. Mr. Papke enjoyed bowling and in 2003 was awarded the Senior Alaskan State Championship in his age group, as well as the most improved bowler in the state. He also loved to play bridge and pinochle at the Kenai senior center.
“Lou was a very giving and generous person. His favorite activity was traveling around Alaska and giving away free Bibles to anyone who requested one. He received Bibles from many sources around the state. When people saw the ‘Free Bibles’ sign on his truck, they either requested one or donated some to him. He was pleased to share the gospel with anyone who asked for a Bible,” his family said.
Mr. Papke was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Nadine and Lee Oswalt; father, Donald Papke; twin sister, Louise Grabel; and baby sister, Dana Papke.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Harriet Papke of Soldotna; son, Thane Papke of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; daughter and son-in-law, Randi (Papke) and Dave Jennings of Edwardsville, Ill.; daughters, Amy Papke of Fort Collins, Colo., and Jill Pierce of Belize; grandsons, Paul Jennings of Edwardsville and Ben Pierce of Georgia; granddaughters, Katie Mendoza of Tempe, Ariz., Mary Pierce of Georgia and Claudia Pierce of Colorado; sister and brother-in-law, Chuck and Donna Anderson of Soldotna; and several nieces, nephews, great-nephews and great-nieces.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Center of America, 10109 E. 79th St., Tulsa, OK 74133-4564.
Arrangements were by Peninsula Memorial Chapel in Kenai.