Gappa family also owns a convenience store in Parkers Prairie

Photo by Tucker Henderson
The Ron and Nan Wegscheid family sold Bluffton Oil after more than 40 years in business at the end of 2023. Gappa Oil in Parkers Prairie purchased the Bluffton staple as an extension of their store in Parkers Prairie.

Tucker Henderson

Reporter

Bluffton Oil has been a staple of the Bluffton community since its inception in 1976. Now in its 50th year of service, it has found a new owner after being owned and operated for 40 years by the Ron and Nan Wegscheid family.

“There had been rumors the the Wegscheids might want to sell Bluffton Oil,” said Rick Gappa, owner of Gappa Oil Co., based in Parkers Prairie. “We contacted them and said we would be interested when that day came. A couple months went by and Ron called, so we got together to talk it over.”

Working with Ron and Nan for almost a year, Rick and Deb Gappa closed on Bluffton Oil on Nov. 1, 2023 and has been continuing to operate the convenience store, tire store and oil delivery business ever since.

Gappa Oil Co. began when Rick’s father, Dick Gappa, purchased the local Standard Oil Service Station in 1955 and called it “Dick’s Standard Service.” In 1973, he expanded the business with the purchase of a local bulk fuel business and named the company “Gappa Oil Co.”

Today, the business is run by Dick’s son and daughter-in-law, Rick and Deb Gappa, with help from their children, Kelly, Jacki and Matt. From its early beginnings as a single service station, it has grown to a Sinclair convenience store, auto repair facility and bulk fuel delivery and propane service in Parkers Prairie, as well as a bulk fuel delivery and propane business arm in Eagle Bend. This will now include the addition of Bluffton Oil.

“In our new Bluffton location, Gappa Oil offers bulk fuel delivery, tire service, lubes, and a small convenience store,” said Rick Gappa. “We also do oil changes and offer a good selection of new tires.”

Gappa Oil Co. has always known the value of small town service and that won’t change with the recent expansion. Customers come first when it comes to the everyday operation of the business.

“We are very excited to expand to the Bluffton area and look forward to working with the ‘Bluffton Oil’ team to offer our customers the same great products and services that they have come to expect,” said Gappa. “We welcome Ron, Aaron, Ryan, and Janice to our family of dedicated employees.”