Delores "Dee" Papps

Delores Papps, known to family and friends as “Dee”, passed away Friday, December 8, 2017, at Wellsville Retirement Community at the age of 83. Family will meet with friends from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M., Friday, December 22, 2017, at Dengel & Son Mortuary. Funeral services will immediately follow at 2:00 P.M., Friday, December 22, 2017, at the mortuary. Interment Highland Cemetery, Ottawa. Dee was born Monday, December 11, 1933, in Lebo, Kansas, the daughter of Everett and Naomi (Luck) Early. She graduated from Ottawa High School in 1951, and went on to marry George Papps in 1952. George and Dee enjoyed 62 years of marriage, until George’s passing in 2014. She was also preceded in death by her father, Everett Early; mother, Naomi Lilly; and stepfather, Warren Lilly. Dee is survived by her son, Tim Papps of Ottawa; daughter, Paula Lintner and husband Bill of Overland Park; five grandchildren, Nic Papps and wife Kelsey, Corinna Papps, Gabrielle Lintner, Justin Lintner, and Cooper Lintner; great-grandson, Matthew Papps; brother, Butch Early and wife Sandra of Wellsville; nephews, Mike Early and wife Wendy, Eddie Papps and wife Sharon, and John Papps and wife Carol; and nieces, Cathy Soto and Dee Ann Papps-Irons. Dee was a homemaker. She made houses into homes for her family in the various locations they lived over the years including, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Carbondale, Kansas; Conroe, Texas; Los Alamos, New Mexico; Garnett, Kansas; and Ottawa, Kansas. Her interests included spending time with her family, traveling with George in one of their many 5th wheels/motorhomes, fishing, bowling, reading – particularly Stephen King novels, playing bingo, singing, collecting music boxes, and supporting the Royals and Chiefs. Dee spent countless hours volunteering at the various Catholic parishes throughout the years, as well as volunteering at the VFW serving as the Ladies Auxiliary President of VFW Post 5901. For the past 3 ½ years, Dee has resided at Wellsville Retirement Community in Wellsville, Kansas. The care providers at WRC became part of her extended family. They provided her with loving care and took special care to make sure she felt at home. In her stay at WRC, she enjoyed many experiences and activities including her first flight in a small aircraft, taking trips to the casino, attending baseball games and live performances, and countless other experiences. The family suggests memorial contributions to VFW Post 5901 Ladies Auxiliary or Wellsville Retirement Community c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Dee’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com