Obituary
Stanley/Penn Yan- Kenneth Elwood Stape, age 85, went to Heaven January 17, 2019. His vivacious and larger-than-life personality will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
A Funeral will be held Saturday, January 26th at 11 a.m. at the Yatesville United Methodist Church, immediately followed by a Celebration of Life and luncheon in the church dining room. A private burial will take place at the Gorham Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Boston Children’s Hospital and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Suite 602, 401 Park Dr., Boston, MA 02215; Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Golisano Children’s Hospital, 601 Elmwood Ave., Rochester, NY 14642; or the Yatesville United Methodist Church, 1894 Yatesville Rd., Penn Yan, NY 14527.
Ken was born on June 19, 1933 to the late Milford and Marie Stape. He grew up in Ferguson Corners alongside his brother, Richard and sister, Doris. He attended Gorham High School before embarking on his farming career with his father. Ken served with the U.S. Army in Germany from 1953- 1955. He was a proud member of the Yatesville United Methodist Church and the Geneva American Legion.
Ken’s devotion and passion for farming fueled his happiness well past his final days in the field. A prominent and lifelong farmer, Ken sucessfully started his own large scale operation in 1957, making him one of the largest farmers in the Finger Lakes region. His heart and soul were poured onto every acre. He remained vocal and committed to the success of his fellow farmers until his final days praising their achievements and sharing in their losses.
Ken was invincible as evidenced by his joy of flying. He also loved working with his draft horses, playing cards with his family, and being active in his church. Everything Ken did, he did with his heart.
Ken is survived by his children, Douglas (Shawn) Stape, Donna (Robert) Peterman, Diane Bostrom, and Darrell Stape; grandchildren, Samantha (Christopher) DiChiara, Michelle (Andrew) Cook, Anthony Stape, Jodi (Michael) Lord, Kyle VanAllan, Kate (Michael) Henderson, Cerra Stape, and Keyanna Stape; great-grandchildren, Isabella, Giulietta, Aria, MJ, Kendra, Carter and Callie; and one brother-in-law, Robert Phalen.
Ken was predeceased by his granddaughter, Kristen Bostrom; his sister, Doris Phalen; and his brother, Richard Stape.