Richard Leonard Pape, 85 of Cedar Falls, Iowa passed away Friday, September 26, 2025 at Hillcrest Home in Sumner, Iowa. Richard was born December 8, 1939 to Leonard and Minnie (Roth) Pape in Eldorado, Iowa. He graduated from West Union High School in 1957.
In 1962, Richard proudly joined the United States Army and served until 1964. On June 5, 1965 Richard was united in marriage with Wanda Dreier at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Eldorado, Iowa. Two daughters were born to this union. For thirty-two years, Richard worked for the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier. Richard worked for Hillpipre Auction during his retirement.
He was a member of the Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls and the Cedar Falls AMVETS. Richard enjoyed woodworking, camping, bowling, cheering on the Minnesota Vikings and the Iowa Hawkeyes. He also liked to travel and spent the winters in YUMA, Arizona. Richard loved his 1951 IH Super C Tractor. Richards greatest joy was spending time with his family, he especially loved being with his grandchildren and great grandchild.
Richard is survived by his wife of sixty years, Wanda Pape of Cedar Falls, Iowa; daughters, Angela (Darren) Derhammer of Cedar Falls, Iowa and Renee (Martin) Patzkowski of Bartelsville, Oklahoma; five grandchildren, Jordan (Megan) Derhammer Capek of Bayard, Iowa, Haleigh (Austin) Ernst of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Connor Derhammer of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Regan Patzkowski of West Lafayette, Indiana and Jaxon Patzkowski of Bartelsville, Oklahoma; one great-granddaugher, Beverly Ernst; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding Richard in death were his parents, Leonard and Minnie Pape; and his two sisters and brother-in-law, Gertrude and Donald Van Sickel and Dorothy Pape.
The family requests that donations be made to Cedar Valley Hospice in Richard Pape’s memory. Contributions can be mailed to P.O. Box 2880, Waterloo, Iowa 50704.
Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am with a visitation from 9:00 am until time of service on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Eldorado, Iowa with Rev. Terry Landsgaard as the officiant.
Interment with Military Rites will follow at the St. Peter Lutheran Church Cemetery, Eldorado, Iowa.
Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of West Union, Iowa is assisting the family with services.