Theodore A. Kapell

Theodore “Ted” Kapell, 77, of Blue Grass, IA, passed away Tuesday, June 18, 2024, surrounded by family at home following an extended illness. Per his wish, the rite of cremation will be accorded, and inurnment will take place at the National Cemetery, Rock Island at 1 pm on Friday, July 19, 2024. Those wishing to attend should meet at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, by 12:30 pm on that Friday. A celebration of life will follow.

Theodore Albert Kapell was born February 13, 1947, in Ossian, IA, the son of Albert and Marjorie (Spilde) Kapell. He attended South Winneshiek High School and upon graduation, joined the Air Force, serving during the Vietnam War. He enjoyed talking with his daughter and granddaughter about the time he was stationed in Guam.

After his service, he attended NIACC, followed by pharmacy school at the University of Iowa, and eventually graduated from Iowa State with a degree in Agronomy. After earning his degree, Ted worked for Heinz in Muscatine as an agricultural representative in the tomato growing division, and later worked as a mail carrier for the USPS in Davenport, IA for fourteen years until he retired in 2010.

Ted had a sweet soul, a big heart, and a generosity that extended beyond his immediate family. He accepted people for who they were and opened his home to those in need. His friends would say that he was an example of what every person should strive to be… always seeing the good in people. Always cherishing his relationships with his friends and family, Ted enjoyed entertaining. Seeing people having fun and enjoying themselves was important to him. He was known for throwing annual parties with live music, most notably featuring his friend Artie Mentz, an Elvis impersonator. He had many close friends and shared a lot of fond memories with them, especially his close friend, James “Jimmy” Wilson.

He was an avid sports fan from an early age. As a kid, he made a place on the farm to play baseball, basketball, and dodgeball with the neighbors. As an adult, he rooted for the Green Bay Packers and liked placing bets on games to make things more interesting. He especially enjoyed going to Lambeau Field to watch the Packers with his close friend Marty Petrazelka.

Ted kept active by working out, dancing, playing golf, and keeping his yard perfect. Always well-groomed, he never had a hair out of place or a shirt untucked.

Those left to honor his memory include his daughter Shannon (Jason Kruse) Kapell of Blue Grass, IA; grandchildren Dylon Gabel, Addison Johnson, and Skiler Gabel; sisters Arlette Schneider of Clermont, IA, Mary Jane (Richard) Callas of Hiawatha, IA; and brother Robert (Rochelle) Kapell of Blue Grass, IA, along with many nieces and nephews. He was an amazing father figure to Glenn (Jody) Houghton, Ben (Stacy) Houghton, Amy (Joe) Haynes, Tanika (Travis) Dorathy, and Zach (Teri) Hamma, and a grandfather figure to Connor Dorathy, caring for them all as his own.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Majorie Kapell, his brothers John Edward and Aljoe Roger, his three half-sisters and their husbands, Barbara and Clem Wurzer; Arlene and Roger Vick; and Celine and Russell Schumann; and his brother-in-law Gerald Schneider.

Online remembrances may be expressed at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.