David Michael Kappel, 66, of Jordan Montana lost his courageous battle with cancer on May 4, 2021.
Dave was born in Billings, Montana on October 27, 1954 to two loving parents, George and Gloria Kappel. He grew up in Park City, Montana, on the family farm with his parents and his sisters Deborah and Denise. Dave loved Montana, loved living close to his uncles, aunts, cousins, and especially his grandmother, Eva. Park City was home and where his love for the outdoors evolved.
On November 10, 1973, Dave married a cute blonde from California, Lois. They had four children, Jeramie, Clarissa, Amber, and Felicia. They spent most of their life in Billings but ended up moving to Columbus when Dave started working for the Peter Yegan Ranch. Dave and Lois divorced in 1988. Although their marriage ended, the love they had for their children was exponential and they managed to stay friends and raise their kids together.
In 1990, Dave married the other love of his life, Ricki. Dave was a stepfather to two children, Terry and Hope Wagner. In 1991, they were delighted to welcome another daughter, Shelby, into the world. Dave worked at the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch for many years as well as the Special K Ranch. Dave and Ricki had a genuine love for each other and their children and continued to nurture that even after they went their separate ways in 2004.
After moving around western Montana for a while doing construction work, Dave found his forever home in Jordan, Montana in 2004. He fell in love with Jordan and the people in it immediately. Close to hunting, fishing, and his family, it was heaven on earth. He worked for Garfield County for many years then working for the Town of Jordan up until his diagnosis. He was a former director of the Chamber of Commerce, always helping with events, especially the annual Jordan Match Bronc Ride. He served on the Senior Center board and was a member of Walleye’s Unlimited.
Dave had a great appreciation for everyone in the community, especially those who allowed him to use their land to pursue his passion for hunting and fishing. He had a hard battle the last year and a half but managed to get the elk of his dreams in 2019 and fish all the way up until he took his last breath. He also was able to spend a lot of time with his family either making sausage, doing fish frys, or just sitting in the chair listening to the sound of his children and grandchildren laughing and being together. He loved his family and wasn’t afraid to let everyone know it.
David is survived by his children, Jeramie Kappel of Helena MT, Clarissa (John) Kennedy of Helena MT (grandchildren Tori, Nick, Belle and Austin), Amber (Chip) Saylor of Jordan MT (grandchildren Bailee, Jayden, Koby, and Harper), Felicia (David) Vistaunet of Jordan MT (grandchildren Mason and Chloe), and Shelby (Matt) Dunbar of Billings MT; Sisters Deborah (Kirk) Crump of Spokane WA and Denise (Phillip) O’Bleness of Missoula MT; uncles, aunts, cousins and numerous friends. Dave was preceded in death by his parents George and Gloria Kappel and uncles Alvin and Leroy Kappel.
Dave’s family extends their thanks and appreciation for the Billings Clinic Oncology team of Miles City and Billings and Health Center of Jordan for taking such great care of him. They all fought hard right alongside him.
Memorials can be made in his honor to the Senior Center of Jordan, MT who played a huge part in helping dad get to his appointments and treatments.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Callie and Jordan Dasinger says
Thinking of you all during this difficult time. Our condolences to your family from ours.❤️
Rho says
I will always remember the kids fishing tournament cooking with you and having fun going to the lake and back
Daniel & Audrey says
Rest in Peace Dave
Larry BARNES says
My condolences to all of the family. keep your faith in the Lord and stay strong. R,I,P, Big Daddy,
Mitzi Beecher says
So sorry to hear 🙏🏼 And my Deepest sympathy
Meredith Saylor says
RIP Dave. You fought a hard battle for a long time with a very positive attitude.
I will remember our visits we had when we traveled to Miles City on the Garfield Co transit Van. The last stop was the Dairy Queen for ice cream. I pray there is Ice cream in Heaven.
Peace for your Family.
Claudia Stanton says
Condolences to Dave’s family. He was a nice guy.
Tom and Claudia
Phil and Darlene Shawver says
Condolences and Prayers for all Dave’s Family He will be missed by all who knew him .Phil enjoyed all their stories about Hunting and fishing , May you find comfort in all of your Memories God Bless all of You R I P Big Daddy Dave
Jenny Frady says
so sorry for your loss , may Dave res tin peace
John and Marlene Wells says
David you and your family are very special. I enjoyed the time Marlene and l got to spend with you on your trip back to Jordan. I am confident I will get to fellowship agin with you in heaven. Maybe God will lone me his BB gun because I still owe you one for shooting me in the butt when we were both kids. Love ya and will miss you.
Roxie Saylor says
Condolences to all of Dave’s family.We will miss the visits over coffee.Always remember how his eyes would sparkle if you visited about family or fishing.Rest In Peace Dave.
Josh & Summer Hunt says
We’re so sorry for the loss of your dad. We’ll be lifting you and your family up in prayer.
Karen Witt says
My Deepest Sympathy to Dave’s Family. I got to know Dave while riding the transit bus going to Doctors appointments I will never eat a blizzard again from Dairy Queen with out thinking of him. I hope he got to go fishing that is what he wanted to do last time I rode with him to Miles City.
Kam Murnion says
Dave was a genuine and sweet man he will be missed, hugs and prayers to his family.
Ruth Peck says
My deepest sympathies to Dave’s family. Dave was a very sweet man. He was always full of life and I never seen him without a smile on his face, even when I knew he wasn’t feeling well. RIP Big Daddy Dave!
Tate Family says
Hugs and Prayers for you all! Dave was a good guy. Always gave me a hard time when he saw me lol. We enjoyed visiting with him when he cut up meat for us. He will be missed.
Mollie Phipps says
So sorry for the loss of your father, may time and the love of God ease the ache in your hearts, as we know he is in Heaven with no pain. Much love.
Aaron Mollie Robert and Michael Phipps
Wanda Eastlick says
My deepest sympathy to the family of David. You’re in my thoughts and prayers. Wanda Eastlick
Amy Budge says
RIP David. I’ll sure miss you. You were a genuinely good guy. Praying for your peace and comfort Jeramie, Clarissa, Amber, Felicia, Shelby Lynn, Debbie and Denise. Love Amy
Christina Schye says
Clarissa and Amber,
I’m so sad to see this. I very much enjoyed your dad and his sense of humor that kept us all laughing. You all took great care of him and he loved you all very much! I’m grateful I got to know him. Rest peacefully Big Daddy!!
Christina Schye
Uncle Marv and Aunt Kay says
We love you. So glad he got to be at the cabin and catch fish. So sorry for all of you. He was a very nice man and raised a wonderful family.
Charles Yegen says
Dave was a genuinely nice man. We are very happy to have known him as we did while he worked on the ranch west of Park City. He was an avid outdoors man and certainly one of the best iron sight rifle shots we have ever known. Vey best regards and kind thoughts to his wonderful progeny.
Randy Hedges says
Dave was an awesome man. We ran together in the late 80’s in Park City. He would give you the shirt off his back. Many laughs with him. GOD’s Blessings to his children & grandchildren. I’m sorry for the emptiness you are feeling. We’ll see you in heaven “Sigmond”.
Ali Mandell says
So very sorry Kappel family. What a beatiful life well lived. Thinking of you all. 🤗
Sabrina and Arthur Kraft says
To all of the Kappel family: From the time that I was a teenager, I knew all of the Kappel’s. My thoughts are to all of you in his family for love and comfort. I was very saddened to hear of his passing so very young. He and I were the same age and had many of the same friends. He was a fine man. His family will have wonderful memories of him until they see him again. May your hearts be filled with his love. My love is extended to all of his family all over Montana.
Lois Kappel says
I am so sad and heartbroken that you have lost your beloved dad and brother; Jeramie, Clarissa, Amber, Felicia, Shelby Lynn, Debbie and Denise and the rest of your big hearted families. We all learned something new and funny and interesting and we all felt inspired when we were around him. I pray God gives you all courage to get through this and I love you all.
Jason Rojas says
“They Love you, they take you in and you don’t become FAMILY you are Family..They lOVE super hard and do what they can anytime they are able..Laugh just as hard and make memories just as good as the meals they make for each other and you of course..LIFE , LoVE , JOY, FAMILY, HAPPINESS and living in the now helping you and others enjoy A LITTLE bit OF THE EXTRA love …LOVE YOU think there is no way they would have any to spare amounts LEFTOVER BY the amount they give” definition to be a “KAPPEL”
The memories FOR me/us will continue to live…The actions And memories of all the KAPPEL family from Grandma Gloria and gpa George and now DAVE WILL never be forgotten by all of us..Due to the fact the biggest thing he left behind for now is HIS LEGACY of love, HIS family . I feel very grateful and so happy to have been a small part of the family and know Dave. I will forever be in his debt for raising children and what I call true friends. People that you can say will always follow in there dad’s and families footsteps by being truly good humans. LIFE , LOVE,JOY,FAMILY AND happiness is what you will find if you hear this name KAPPEL. A name that will live on in MEMORIES for all of us if YOU are lucky enough to meet one of these “Kappels” …The realization when i/we do rumble down the road in old blue (late 70s pickup truck..rifles in the back..along with some fresh venison ready to put into casings or fire up the smoker..Laugh until you pee yourself causing trouble…The KAPPELs are with you lol.. Some of The best times in LIFE I will never forget I would never of had if it wasn’t for Dave and the actions of love and Kindness instilled in his children and family. Daves legacy of LIFE that continues every day in the true love the Kappel Family and his children have for others. A true legacy never forgotten by those so lucky to have witnessed it and continue to do so.
Never forgotten
Sara and Nick Ludwig says
Amber and family..so sorry to hear of your loss. 😔 Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Loves to all and may God bless!! Aunt Sara and Nick