Wesley Dappen was born at Lucas, South Dakota at the farm of his parents, Joseph L. and Rosetta (Smith) Dappen on January 23, 1929 and passed away from mesothelioma on September 1, 2010 at Monarch Hospice Home in Lincoln, Nebraska.
He attended Sunnyside, a one-room school, in Lucas and graduated from Gregory High School in 1947. Wesley had a love of sports his entire life. In high school he participated in football, track and boxing. He especially enjoyed playing baseball with his brothers, cousins and neighbors on various town teams and leagues for many decades. After retirement, Wes played on a senior softball league at his winter home in Texas. He learned to snow ski on his 70th birthday and competed in the Cornhusker State Games in track the last few years.
Wesley began farming with his father immediately after high school. He and his wife, Mary Matucha, whom he married in 1951, raised their four children on the family homestead near Lucas. They celebrated their 59th anniversary in August.
He took great pleasure in spending time with family and friends. The enduring bond of the Dappen brothers was forged through their shared responsibility of working on the farm in their childhood, and continued as they regularly spent time together for golf, travel, Husker football, and family reunions.
Wes was thoroughly absorbed in life, especially in farming, golf, history, and travel. What appealed to him most about travel was meeting other people and taking an interest in how they live. He explored Europe, Eastern Europe, Central America, South America, Mexico, Alaska and Hawaii. He took every opportunity to learn about his Swiss heritage, including traveling to Switzerland twice to become acquainted with family there. His interest in history led him to tour many Civil War battlefields and historic sites.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Lucas and attended Crossbridge Christian Church in Lincoln and the Combes Baptist Church in Texas. He was also a member of American Baptist Men.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, Lincoln; son Dr. Robert (Cindy) Dappen of Tempe, AZ and their children, Becky Wright, Jackie Clancy, and Luke Dappen; daughters, Shirley Olson of Spokane, WA and her children, Neleigh and Ethan Olson; Dorene Hoffie of Mitchell, SD; and Joette (Jon) Loos of Lincoln, and their children, Noah and Annie Loos; great grandchildren, Elliot and Iris Clancy; brothers Lester (Margaret), Luther, and Glen (Bonnie) Dappen; sister-in-law, Beverly Jacobson, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ted, son-in-law Calvin Hoffie, granddaughter Lindsay Olson, sisters -in-law Louise Matucha, Barbara Dappen and Harriet Dappen, and brother-in-law, Louie Matucha Jr.

Memorials may be directed to:
Camp Judson
12965 Old Hill City Road
Keystone, SD 57751

Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 6, 2010 at 10:30 AM at the Union Baptist Church in Burke. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Burke. Visitation will begin at 4:00 PM on Sunday, with a prayer service at 5:00 PM, at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke.