Dolores Lapp

SEBASTIAN, Fla. — Dolores Lapp, 86, a lifelong resident of Land O’Lakes, Wis., died peacefully on Dec. 20, at her second home in Sebastian.

Dolores was born in Chicago to John and Isabel Ott and moved to Land O’Lakes in the 1940s to marry Jack Lapp. Their marriage lasted 67 years, until her death.

She held the world tiger muskie record for many years for a 56-inch, 50-pound, 4-ounce fish that she caught June 28, 1951, when she was 21 years old, on Lac Vieux Desert Lake while fishing with Jack, who was a professional fishing guide for over 60 years. Dolores also was an avid golfer, basket weaver, pickle master, quilter and a good friend to many in the Land O’Lakes area.

In her childhood and early adulthood she studied dance and performed professionally at the Palmer House in Chicago and the Flamingo in Las Vegas. In the early 1960s she started the Dolores Lapp School of Dance, where she taught and inspired many children in the Land O’Lakes, Eagle River and Iron River area for over 20 years. Her annual recital, held at the Eagle River High School, was a community event where parents and relatives would not only watch the performance but also participate in all aspects of the technical production, including costumes, lights and programs.

Dolores was preceded in death by her parents, John and Isabel Ott; and son, John Lapp Jr.

She is survived by her husband, Jack, of Land O’Lakes; and three children, Jimmy (Joan Moll) of Land O’Lakes, Jeff of Wasilla, Alaska, and Gail (Gregg) Mallick of Land O’Lakes. She is further survived by five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Special services will be held in the early summer in Land O’Lakes. Condolences may be sent to Gail Mallick, and please include your email address so that she may contact you about the summer services.