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LIFE STORY

Delores Veronica Kaping (nee Peterson)

Delores was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on December 21, 1927. She was one of five children to Mary (nee Geiomel) and Joseph Peterson. She attended Monroe High School for many years before pursuing her cooking career. When she was 18 years old, she met a gentleman on leave from his service with the US Army. This man was Harold Joseph Kaping and they were married at St. Frances de Sales Catholic Church on May 4, 1946. They raised their three boys in the Rice Street neighborhood of St. Paul’s North End. The family began attending the Church of St. Bernard's where the boys attended grade school. Delores and Harold loved dancing and were members of the North End Improvement Club and the Moose Lodge on English Street. Since Harold was from New Ulm, Minnesota, they would go back to the polka festival each year to help his uncle serve at the bar and dance. Delores was a phenomenal cook at home and at her workplaces. Over the years she worked at Galliven's Diner in Downtown St. Paul, The Coachman Restaurant, and O’Gara’s Bar and Grill. At home, she was known for her amazing rolls (caramel, cinnamon, frosted, everything), her authentic Italian spaghetti, and her variety of desserts. Harold always teased her and said she had enough food to feed an army. There was even a priest named Father Methias (from St. Bernard's) that made it a habit to stop by the Kaping house to eat Delores’ delicious food on the porch. Harold and Delores did not like traveling as they liked spending their time around the Twin Cities. In fact, they once rented a cabin in Forest Lake and Harold joked that they had to rent a hotel in Hugo in order to make the drive more bearable. Hosting and entertaining was the thing that Delores was best at. She loved having her family and friends over, feeding them, or starting a game of cards. She always had music playing on her huge stereo and usually had someone like Dean Martin playing. Delores was a very outgoing woman who could talk with anyone. Her sense of humor is unmatched and she was a caring and loving friend. She will be missed by all who knew her.

On the morning of Wednesday, May 23, 2018, Delores passed away peacefully at Ecumen Lakeview Commons Care Center. She had made Ecumen her home for almost 4 years and was truly cared for by the phenomenal staff. Her boys dedicated almost all their time to Delores over the last few weeks and months but it was her son, Allan, who was by her side when she passed away. Her best friend, Cecelia, also lived in the building and they are grateful for her love and support over the years. Delores is preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Joseph Peterson; her husband, Harold Kaping; and her siblings, Marie Teel, Joseph Peterson, and Donald Peterson. She will be dearly missed by her children, Dennis “Ollie” (Barb) Kaping of St. Paul, Allan (Delores) Kaping of Apple Valley, and Randy (Nancy) Kaping of White Bear Lake; her grandchildren, Rodney Sandstrom of Coon Rapids, Victoria Hugen of Eden Prairie, Daniel Kaping of Chicago, Jason (Mollie) Kaping of St. Paul, and Daniel Payson of White Bear Lake; her great-grandchildren, Keira, Lily, Shelby, and Colby; her sister, Darlene (Dale) McAfee; her sisters-in-law, Esther Radke and Marilyn Kaping; and her best friend, Cecilia Edwards.

There will be a visitation for Delores from 11AM until 12PM on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, 4741 Bald Eagle Avenue, White Bear Lake, with the Mass of Christian Burial at 12PM (noon). A luncheon will follow at the Parish Life Center with a private burial in the afternoon at Roselawn Cemetery in Roseville. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Ecumen Lakeview Commons of Maplewood for the care they gave to their mom.

OBITUARY AS PUBLISHED IN THE PIONEER PRESS

Delores Veronica Kaping (nee Peterson)

Passed away peacefully on May 23, 2018
with her family by her side - Age 90

Preceded in death by parents, Mary and Joseph; husband, Harold; and siblings, Marie Teel, Joseph, and Donald. Survived by children, Dennis "Ollie" (Barb), Allan (Delores), and Randy (Nancy); grandchildren, Rodney Sandstrom, Victoria Hugen, Daniel, Jason (Mollie), and Daniel Payson; great-grandchildren, Keira, Lily, Shelby, and Colby; sister, Darlene (Dale) McAfee; sisters-in-law, Esther Radke and Marilyn; and best friend, Cecilia Edwards. Mass of Christian Burial at 12PM (noon) on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, 4741 Bald Eagle Ave., White Bear Lake, with visitation from 11AM-12PM. Private interment at Roselawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred.