Victor A. Chapel, Sr., 81, originally from Houston, Minnesota, died on September 7, 2026, at White Pines Advanced Memory Care, Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota.
He was born on Mother’s Day, May 13, 1945, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, to Kenneth A Chapel and Dorothy “Dollie” (Coulson) Chapel.
Victor was raised on the family farm near Money Creek. He left school in eighth grade to work on the farm and married Paula N. Carlson. He worked odd jobs in addition to farming, such as a gas station attendant at Don’s Deep Rock between La Crosse and La Crescent. In 1971 he left the farm and began working factory jobs in Winona until becoming the long-time evening custodian at Houston Public Schools. Later he moved to Tampa, Florida, where he worked at Busch Gardens until age and ill health pushed him into retirement.
Throughout his life, Victor enjoyed Country and Western music, TV shows, and movies. He also enjoyed hunting, camping, and getting outdoors. Later in life he wore his signature cowboy hat every day. He was extremely lucky at the casino, but bad at math so he rarely brought any winnings home. In addition to drinking three cups of black coffee every day, he loved his sweets, including shakes, malts, floats, and mini pastries of all sorts as long as they were sugar-coated.
Victor is survived by four sons: Victor Jr. (Sarah) Chapel of Spring Valley, Minnesota, Jerry Chapel of Tampa, Florida, Dennis (Shana) Chapel of Pella, Iowa, and Matthew (Jodi) Chapel of Onamia, Minnesota; eight grandchildren: Zachary, Dion, Shale, Somerset, Mars, Brooke, Margaret and Richard; one sister-in-law, Donna Chapel; and two sisters, Kathryn (Mark) Witt and Marion (Richard) Nelson; and many other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Matthew Chapel Jr., brothers Charles and Kenneth Marvin, brother-in-law Mark Witt, and nephew Danny Witt.
The celebration of Victor’s life will be Friday October 2, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the Money Creek Town Hall, 1937 Money Creek Rd, Houston, Minnesota. There will be a graveside service and burial at 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch and sharing memories back at the town hall. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Epilepsy Foundation at https://www.epilepsy.com/ in his memory.
Hoff Funeral Home Houston is assisting the family. Please visit www.hofffuneral.com to leave an online condolence.
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