David John Hapka

David John Hapka, age 77, of Three Lakes passed away on February 26, 2025 at Azure Memory Care in Oconomowoc, WI while struggling with dementia and rapid cognitive decline. 

Born August 30, 1947, the son of Max and Lorayne (Miller) Hapka, David grew up in the Milwaukee area with brothers Paul, Michael, and Mark. David graduated high school in Milwaukee in 1965 and then attended UW-Madison where he graduated in 1971 with a degree in Pharmacy. 

David married Judith Sobralske on August 30, 1969 and had four children; David, Carey, Mark, and Andrew. Early in his career as a pharmacist, David owned and operated several pharmacies in the Milwaukee area with several partners resulting in friendships that lasted him throughout his life. Though living in the Milwaukee area, David found his true passion in the outdoors and loved hunting and fishing and visiting his parent’s cabin in Conover, WI. This love of northern Wisconsin prompted him to change his life forever and move his family to Three Lakes in 1980. Initially, David worked for the Eagle River Memorial Hospital operating the pharmacy in Three Lakes, but quickly purchased the pharmacy and became a small business owner operating the Three Lakes Pharmacy. In 1985, David built the pharmacy as it stands today and operated the Three Lakes Pharmacy for over 35 years.

David’s true passion in Three Lakes was giving back to his community and spending time outdoors with friends and family. David was involved for many years in the community; most notably as a Town of Three Lakes Supervisor and a member of the Three Lakes Lions club. David also supported many community organizations thru donations from the pharmacy. David always proudly stated that his favorite way to give back was talking to high school students about careers in health care and becoming a pharmacist. 

David embraced the outdoors lifestyle and taught his children to hunt and fish as well as many outdoor sports, such as cross country skiing and water skiing. Every weekend was a seasonal outdoor adventure and could involve trout or musky fishing; duck or deer hunting, ice fishing, or mastering Devil’s run at the Anvil Lake ski trail. David formed many bonds and friendships in Three Lakes and spent time with friends and family at his cabin in Alvin, WI as well as many fishing trips to Canada with “the group”. The group may have changed over time, but the “core group” did not. These lifelong friends were so important to David. He dreaded driving to Canada or South Dakota every year but he would always make the trips; often making the group wait to leave until he closed the store so he could make sure his customers had what they needed. 

David enjoyed golf and played many years in the Three Lakes summer league at the golf course for over 30 years. Golf league friendships were very important to David and he would never miss a Wednesday night match, unless he was fishing in Canada. 

David was preceded in death by his parents Max and Lorayne Hapka, Mark Hapka (brother), and his favorite Uncle Casey and Aunt Irene. David also recently lost his companion Joan Gehrke who gave him joy and companionship later in life; allowing him to live for as long as possible on Sevenmile Lake in the home he truly loved. 

David is survived by his children; David (Reagon), Carey (Dan), Mark, and Andrew as well as 11 grandchildren; Madison, Lakken, Alison, Nolan, Hunter, Ashlyn, Havoc, Matthew, Samuel, Elizabeth, and Hannah. 

The family will hold a Celebration of Life in Three Lakes on May 31, 2025 at The Reiter Center (1858 S Michigan St, Three Lakes, WI 54562) from 11 am to 5 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Three Lakes Fish and Wildlife Improvement Association.