August Aging Well Award: Joe Trapp

The August Aging Well Award honors a man whose retirement turned into a new calling.

After 37 years of inspecting grain elevators, Joe Trapp thought he had closed one chapter of his life. But when St. Francis Xavier School—where his wife serves as assistant principal—struggled to keep a custodian, Joe stepped forward to help.

“I told my wife I would give it a try,” Joe said. “I take pride in my work, and the kids are getting to know me, and they say, ‘Hi’ to me when they see me.”

Since joining the staff, Joe has become the school’s trusted “jack of all trades.” He cleans, fixes, and tends to the needs of teachers, students, and the aging building itself. Over the summer, he worked tirelessly to ensure classrooms and hallways shone bright for the new school year.

Nominated by teacher Jennifer Schoeberl and the St. Francis staff, Joe was celebrated in the school gym, where a class full of students erupted with cheers and applause as “Mr. Trapp” received the award.

Joe’s willingness to step out of retirement to serve his community is a shining example of what it means to age well: using time, talent, and heart to make a difference in the lives of others.

Congratulations, Joe, on being the August Aging Well Award recipient!