Darryl Trapp

On May 29, 1962, in Owatonna, Minnesota, Wayne and Virginia Trapp welcomed their newest son - Darryl David Trapp. Lynda, Susan, and Lester learned the news when their dad came home and hollered up the stairs: "You've got a new brother!"
When Darryl came home from the hospital a few days later, his teenage sisters - Lynda and Susan - fought over who got to hold him first. We're not sure who won that day, but they both had plenty of time to cuddle him. Big brother Lester became much happier to have a brother once Darryl was big enough to play in the sand pile with the Tonka trucks and army men.
Darryl always loved learning, books, and scary movies - that he could watch with his mom! He also enjoyed singing in the choir, acting in high school plays, sculpting with clay in his art class, writing for the school paper, and managing the basketball team. He graduated from Claremont High School in 1980 at the top of his class.
In 1982, Darryl graduated with honors from Rochester Community College in Rochester, MN and then attended Beloit College in Beloit, WI and the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh. After college, he discovered his lifelong passion for all things food. As a waiter, and later manager, at the Broadstreet Cafe in Rochester, he learned about breads and patès and prawns and filets, Merlots, Cabernets and crème bruleès... and the people who loved food... which could be just about everyone.
Darryl loved to travel and decided he needed to see life outside Minnesota. His friend Steven urged him to come to Kansas City, MO. So off he went. He found various jobs through a temp agency but nothing that was going to work out long-term. So he moved back to Minnesota and temporarily in with his brother Lester's family - on the same family farm where he'd grown up. Lester and Karen and their kids were thrilled to have a new roommate/cook/chauffeur/tutor/confidant! Darryl quickly became the neighborhood favorite because he just couldn't stop baking and trying new recipes. The one recipe he never followed through with was the one he used as a threat if the kids were misbehaving... Liver and Lima Bean Casserole! Being back in Claremont also gave him the chance to reconnect with his sisters and their children as well as extended family and childhood friends. A wonderful, magical summer for everyone.
It was only a few months before Darryl started working in Rochester again, and then he headed to Iowa - where he soon landed a job with CMF&Z in Cedar Rapids. Though he enjoyed his job and coworkers there, he missed the restaurant business. So he added a second job as a waiter at RJ Books and began bringing in some of his homemade pies and cakes. When the restaurant served these, their customers raved for more. And Darryl became the dessert chef - creating drool-worthy cakes, pies and cheesecakes for the restaurant. Later, he did the same for Vino's Ristorante. When he finally decided he needed to move on with his life, there were a lot of sad dessert-lovers in Cedar Rapids.
As he became more settled and secure, Darryl could give in to that travel bug. He visited his friend Steven, who had moved to Florida, several times and sailed off on a few cruises. They created lasting memories of many great times... and a few over-indulgences.
During this time, Darryl bought a house in Cedar Rapids. A place with a great kitchen for creating his confections and a lovely yard for growing herbs and flowers. Then came the flood of 2008. Though his house was above the "500 year flood plain", it wasn't above this one. His collections of beloved books and photos were in the basement. And they were lost. He and his roommate, Ron, were able to live with Darryl's dear friend Jerry in Hiawatha until friends and family were able to get the house cleaned and in order so they could move back in.
While he was in Cedar Rapids, Darryl became friends with several men who, together, called themselves "The Bears". It was with these friends that Darryl discovered how much he enjoyed camping and spending time outdoors. They all became lifelong friends.
In 2015, Darryl began communicating on-line with Mike Starnes - a man with kind eyes and a sweet smile. The two of them enjoyed chatting and found they had many things in common. They finally agreed to meet that next summer at Sweet Peas, a restaurant in Geneseo, IL. It went well. And on a beautiful day in July, Darryl met Mike at his home in Hopewell, IL. Mike enjoyed taking Darryl to an overlook along the Illinois River where they had time to talk and enjoy the view and learn more about each other. Later that month, Mike met Darryl and some of his friends at a restaurant in Iowa City. After only a couple more visits, they both knew that this was love. That they were meant for each other.
Over the next few months, Darryl and Mike spent as much time together as they could - exploring the countryside, restaurants, museums, flea markets, and themselves. Darryl started job hunting in Illinois. On January 22, 2017, Darryl left Cedar Rapids and joined Mike in his home. They were together ever after.
Once in Hopewell, Darryl started working at Kroger grocery store in Chillicothe - just a few miles from Hopewell. He knew this was definitely not his dream job, but that it would do until he found something better. Mike encouraged him to apply for a job at FCA in Princeville through a temp agency. So he did. And got the job. A few months later, FCA hired him as a permanent, full-time employee.
Darryl enjoyed his job at FCA. He loved his coworkers. And of course, they loved him. He again had another bunch of friends he could spoil with his cakes and treats of all kinds! Birthdays, holidays, and just "Why Not?" days were opportunities for him to bake and deliver and share sweets and joy.
In the late spring of 2024, Darryl decided to retire. For the next few months, he and Mike had plenty of time to enjoy each other. They often took off on daylong adventures - which could include visits to historical sites of interest or estate sales or antique stores or restaurants or anywhere Mike's little Prius decided to go. But they always had to be home in time to feed Olive and Ellie - their beloved little Chihuahuas - who greeted them with happy voices and bouncy feet.
In June of 2024, Darryl felt ill and landed in the hospital. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. For the next months, his health declined. And the dreams of the future he and Mike had, disappeared. Mike spent every day caring for Darryl and showering him with love. They were both determined to remember their good times and to tell and re-tell each other of their love. At this, they succeeded. But on January 16, 2025, Darryl left us and this world behind. He is missed.
A Gathering of Friends will take place on April 26, 2025, in Rochester, MN. Please check back for updated time and place or visit Darryl's Facebook page. We invite you to visit www.peoriafuneral.com to share memories or condolences.
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