Mavis Papa

Mavis Papa

Mavis Papa, 93, of Octavia, died Monday, November 8, 2021, at the Butler County Healthcare Center in David City.


 

Funeral Service Monday, November 15, 2021  10:30 A.M.

Redeemer Lutheran Church, David City   Rev. David Palomaki, Officiating

Visitation Sunday 2-4 P.M. Kracl Funeral Chapel, David City

Visitation Monday one hour prior to services at the church

Committal in the Edholm Cemetery

Lunch in the church hall following the committal

Memorials requested to the Edholm Cemetery

Mavis was born February 27, 1928, in Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska, one of seven girls born to Frank and Gertrude (Rath) Lemke.  They were known as "the hard working Lemke girls" who could farm and run a dairy operation as well.  She attended rural schools and graduated from Cedar Bluffs High School in 1946.  On May 20, 1951, she married John "Bud" Papa at the Lutheran Church in Cedar Bluffs.  They lived on the family farm and eventually moved to Octavia in 1981.

Upon retirement, they started an antique business and enjoyed attending shows, auctions  and flea markets.  They loved meeting many great people.  Her greatest joy was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Mavis would drop everything she was doing when they stopped by.  She loved crocheting and won many awards at the Butler County Fair.  Mavis had served many years as Sunday School Superintendent at Trinity Lutheran Church in Schuyler and was a janitor for District #17 and Garfield schools.  She was currently a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in David City.

Mavis is survived by two daughters; Jean Smith, David City and Joan (Randy) Wemhoff, Octavia.  Grandchildren; Willis Smith, Bellwood, Cassie (Branden) Rech, Ashland, Sam (Lindsay) Smith, Lee (Cassie) Burnett, and Tanner Wemhoff all of Octavia.  Great grandchildren; Halle, Kenna and Lennyn Rech, Gabe and Callan Burnett and one sister, Twila (John) Suhr of Hooper.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband John, son-in-law Joe D. Smith and five sisters and brothers-in-law; Vivian (Francis) Lubker, Lillian (Vernon) Lubker, Althea (Elwin) Beaman, Katherine (Ralph) Woodhelm and Frances Kay Lemke.