Milo T. Tappon Obituary (1922 - 2015)

Milo Trueman Tappon, age 92, of Menomonie, WI, passed away on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at home in Menomonie. He was born on October 28, 1922 in Stady, North Dakota. He attended high school in Ladysmith, Wisconsin, graduating Valedictorian of his high school class. Milo enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in engineering, completing two years of course work. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, trained as a meteorologist and commissioned as a second lieutenant. His active duty assignment was on the Aleutian Island Chain in Alaska. Prior to departure he and Ruth Andreasen, a high school classmate, were married August 17, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois. Milo was discharged in early 1946. Following discharge, Milo enrolled in the forestry program at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, graduating with a Master’s Degree of Science in Forestry. He and Ruth moved to Tomahawk, Wisconsin where he was employed by the Wisconsin Conservation Department, working in several locations in Wisconsin before settling in Menomonie in 1957. He retired from the Wisconsin DNR in 1977 and continued working as a consulting forester. Milo had boundless energy and unlimited interests in life. He was a focused professional with an incredible work ethic, a dedicated husband and father, developed a part time business growing Christmas trees, and never tired in his quest to continue learning. He spent his entire life surrounded by books, periodicals, and more recently his computer. Milo enjoyed anything family related; the camping trips each summer, visits from family, his Menomonie friends and church activities. He was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and more recently, New Life Lutheran Church. In retirement, Milo and Ruth loved travelling to Norway with family or friends, always in search of Norwegian ancestry. Milo is survived by daughter Janet (Dennis) Helwig of Verona, WI, son Wayne (Karen) of Ladysmith, WI, son Terry (Cathy) of Ladysmith, WI, and daughter Debra (Jeff) Berg of Waukesha, WI. In addition, grandchildren: Christopher Helwig, Sarah Foss (Joe), Elizabeth Narvaez (Tito), Casey Galgon (Ryan), Kelly Berg and Lindsey Berg as well as step-grandchildren Stephanie Samardzich, Kip (Jill) Samardzich, and Serena (Jerry) Ewer, great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great- nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife Ruth, parents, a sister, and a granddaughter. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at Oak Ridge Lutheran Brethren Church/New Life Sanctuary, 620 24th Ave W. in Menomonie, with Pastor Roy Harrisville officiating. Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie is assisting the family with arrangements. Family and friends are welcome one hour prior to the service for visitation and are invited to stay for a lunch at 12:15 PM. A family burial will be held in Ladysmith, WI, Riverside Cemetery at 3:00 PM. Memorials may be made to New Life Lutheran Church, PO Box 833, Menomonie, WI 54751.