Ray Lapka

Dates

Obituary

Ray Lapka, 78, of Mitchell, SD, died on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at his home. Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM Monday, March 4, at First United Methodist Church in Mitchell with visitation one hour prior to the funeral service. Burial will be in Servicemen's Memorial Cemetery in Mitchell. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Ray Lapka was born July 23, 1945, in Aberdeen, SD, to Laverne and Elta (Bain) Lapka and raised on a farm near Leola.

He attended a one-room school through the 8th grade and graduated from Leola High School in 1963. He earned a degree in auto mechanics from Southern State College, Springfield, SD, graduating in January 1966. On Dec. 27, 1965, he married Barbara Mae Sperle. The couple moved to Mitchell, where he worked for and later managed Phillips 66 gas stations. He entered the United States Army in May 1966 and served with the artillery in Vietnam, returning home in November 1967. He worked at Trail King for 26 years and retired in 2010.

Ray will be remembered for his great sense of humor. He loved to spend time in the Black Hills and knew it like the back of his hand. He often took friends and family on tours of the Hills. In his younger days, he hunted deer and antelope, and had many good hunting stories. In his later years, he hunted prairie dogs. He had a lot of fun on his 4-wheeler driving pastures or local roads.

He enjoyed spending time playing pinochle in a couple card clubs and with family. He especially enjoyed spending time with his kids, grandkids and great-grandchildren, who knew him as Grandpa M for his unending supply of M&Ms. Coca-Cola, Baby Ruths and oatmeal raisin cookies also satisfied his sweet tooth. Ray loved the Grand Ole Opry. Ray and Barb took several cruises with the Larry's Country Diner crew.

His memory will be cherished by his wife Barb of 58 years; three children: Lilah (Mike) Gillis, Yankton, Corey Lapka, Mitchell, Heidi (Brian) Pringle, Sioux Falls; 8 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Eileen Merkel, Newport News, VA.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

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