Donald Ray Vap

Sanibel, Florida. Don was born July 22, 1942, in Hastings, Nebraska to Raymond and Grace (Vance) Vap. He spent his formative years on the family farm in Holstein, Nebraska where he worked and studied hard. As a result of his academic efforts, Don graduated from Holstein High School at the age of 16 as class valedictorian. In addition, he was also a proud member of the Holstein Panthers basketball team that earned back-to-back state championships. Don continued his education at Kearney State where two events occurred that would shape his life. First, he met his future wife, Janice on a blind date, and second, he was encouraged by a professor to sit for the dental school admission examination. He continued his studies at Creighton University Dental School and was a member of the 1965 graduating class. Don practiced general dentistry for several years while in the Coast Guard before entering his Oral Surgery residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Don loved his work and practiced oral surgery for 40 years, primarily in Omaha, Nebraska. Following retirement, Don and Jan moved from Omaha to Wisconsin to spend time with their grandson during his early childhood years and they also spent a portion of each year in Sanibel to escape the Wisconsin winters. As the years passed, they established permanent residency in Florida and continued visiting their children in Minnesota and Wisconsin while also enjoying travel to favored destinations. Don loved to sing, enjoyed woodcarving and treasured together time with family and friends. He was active in his faith community as well as a number of community and civic organizations. He was known for his quick wit, compassionate spirit and grace in the face of adversity.

During their 58 years together, Don and Jan raised two children, Kristi and Mark. Don was a proud Father and Papa and loved his family fiercely. He is survived by his wife, Jan Vap; children: Kristi Rodgers and husband Bruce; step grandson, Ehrich Rodgers and Mark Vap and wife Colleen; grandson, Joshua Vap; brothers Joseph Vap and wife Pam and Ronald Vap and wife Rhonda; brother-in-law’s: Robert and wife Coleen and Chuck and wife Lorna; sister-in-law: Mary Kober and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Grace.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Saint Columbkille Parish, Ft. Myers, Florida on December 22, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. Interment to follow in the Memorial Garden. For those joining remotely, you may view Don's service by using the following link: (this is a new link do not use the previous link)https://www.facebook.com/beth.goerke/posts/10157996895630823?notif_id=1608562334445543%C2%ACif_t=live_video_schedule_broadcaster&ref=notif. Please note if you do not have a Facebook account and are prompted to create one, select the "not now" option and you will be able to view the mass without creating an account. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to The Parkinson’s Foundation, Poor Clare Sisters of Omaha, or Saint Columbkille Catholic Parish.