Vilas Daniel Ropp

Vilas Daniel Ropp, 65, of Lexington, died Sunday, March 26, 2023 at his home outside of Lexington.

He was born August 23, 1957 in Albany, Oregon, to Daniel and Irva (Roth) Ropp, the third of six children. His father worked as a grass seed cleaner whose job took the family to Klamath Falls, Oregon when Vilas was in the 5th or 6th grade. His dad’s poor health took the family to live on the Oregon Coast when Vilas was in high school. He attended Taft High School in Lincoln City. While in high school Vilas bought a fishing boat and started commercial fishing out of Depoe Bay. After a few years he also began selling real estate, which he continued to do for 20 years.

Vilas married Deb Majeske on April 2, 1977 in Heppner, Oregon. While living at the coast Vilas and Deb had two daughters, Linsey Marie in 1979 and Ashley Deb in 1981. In 1982 the couple moved to Lexington where Vilas began farming with his father-in-law, Gene Majeske, and they have resided there since.

Vilas didn’t know a stranger and as one of his grandsons said, carried on the funniest conversations. He had many hobbies, hunting and fishing being among his favorites. He loved spending time with family and always offered advice and experience whenever and wherever needed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dan and Irva; his in-laws, Gene and Ally Majeske: and his infant sister, Maryetta Ropp.

Survivors include hi wife of 46 years, Deb; his daughter Linsey Kellogg (Brandon), grand-daughter Tatelynn Kellogg of Pendleton: daughter Ashley Lindsay (Dan), grandkids, Paul, John, Claire, Max, Lucy, Kenny and Lauren Lindsay of Lexington: siblings, Gene Ropp (Jennifer) of McMinnville, Merve Ropp of Albany, Mavis Peterson (Joe) of Salem and Larry Ropp (Nelda) of Bend: and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private graveside service was held at the Lexington Cemetery.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, April 22, 2023 at the Heppner Elks Lodge with a reception to follow.

Memorial contributions for those who wish may be made to the Morrow Co. Farm Museum, PO Box 515, Heppner, OR. 97836.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Vilas Daniel Ropp, please visit our floral store.