Elmer Chapp

Elmer Chapp, 94, of Falls City, NE, passed away November 25, 2020, at Falls City. He was born January 8, 1926, at Burchard, NE, to Rudolph and Mary (Blecha) Chapp.
He married Caroline Folkerts on October 14, 1951, at Beatrice, NE.
Elmer served in the United States Army from 1944 to June 1946 and was honorably discharged. He volunteered for the Army after graduation from High School, trained at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, then sailed on the Queen Mary over the Atlantic to the front lines in France. The day after his ship docked at Marseille, France, he was sent with a group of replacements to the front line. He was embroiled in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium and spent Christmas Eve in a foxhole. He was one of five of his group of 60 who had not been killed or wounded, which is why on April 29, 1945, he was able to storm the gates of the Nazi concentration camp in Bavaria, at Dachau. He was a member of the 42nd “Rainbow” Division. His next assignment was Vienna, as a Military Policeman with the 202nd Military Police Company in Austria guarding General Mark Clark, returning to the United States in 1946. He was among other Veterans on April 23, 2009, (age 83) to participate in the 6th Heartland Honor Flight, a chartered flight from Omaha to Washington D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial along with Arlington Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknowns for the Changing of the Guard…” one of the highlights of my life.”
Elmer was raised on a farm in Virginia, NE and graduated Virginia High School in 1944. After his honorable discharge, he studied independent business courses and worked as a mechanic at the Chevrolet Dealership in Auburn, NE and then as a mechanic at a filling station. When married, the couple established their home in Auburn and in 1953, the couple moved to Falls City, where he started Chapp Oil and became an independent Mobil Oil Distributer; this business is still in the family. In addition to the oil company, he also owned two gas stations in Falls City. He was a well-respected businessman in the Falls City community. His faith, family, and contributions as a community member were important to him. His customers were always top priority. Even from the nursing home, he would ask Mom if there were any calls for business. He was the owner and businessman for Chapp Oil Company until his day of passing. He was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (20th and Towle St.), VFW, American Legion and the Men’s Coffee Group at his church.
Elmer is survived by his wife Caroline of Falls City, children, Colleen Chapp and her husband Dan Williamson of Eastsound, WA, Kenneth Chapp and his wife Sonnie Kroon of Lincoln, NE, Deanna Jensen and her husband Don Durden of Charlotte, NC, grandchildren, Brian Chapp, Chris Durden and Jesse Williamson, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Evelyn Laflin, brother, Glenn, daughter, Karen Kay in infancy, grandchildren, Candace and Jason Chapp and son-in-law, John Jensen.
A private family memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at 11:00 AM at St. Paul’s Evangelical Church (20th and Towle St.) with Reverend Andrew Chavanak officiating. Inurnment will be in Steele Cemetery. Military graveside honors by Falls City Ceremonial Honor Guard.
The service will be live streamed on the church’s YouTube Channel.
Friends are encouraged to attend the committal service at Steele Cemetery following the church service but are required to stay in their cars and may listen to the service on 88.7 FM on their radio.
Friends may sign the guest register at Dorr and Clark Funeral during regular business hours.