Gloria Rapp

RAPP, Mrs. Gloria "Dawn"
Kalamazoo, MI Went to be with the Lord on Monday evening November 30, 2009. Dawn was born June 5, 1935 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a daughter of Eugene and Genevieve Wait Weed. She had been a lifelong Kalamazoo area resident and was employed with K.R.E.S.A. for 20 years, retiring in 1996 as an Occupational Therapist Assistant from Croyden Avenue School. Dawn had great passion in working with physically and mentally impaired children. As a certified Master Gardener, she applied horticulture therapy and love to help develop the children and campaigned for improvements to the atrium at Croyden. Throughout her life she was employed by Borgess OT-department, Brook Lodge, UpJohn and the Iceberg Drive-In/Restaurant where she met her future husband, Robert. She was also a member of the Covenant Church of Kalamazoo. She was active in Vacation Bible School and directing children's church. She also made and used puppets in communicating Christ; she broadened her knowledge of Christ through Sunday school, Bible studies and Bible Study Fellowship. She was an active member of the Kalamazoo Gardenettes, and she loved reading, needlework, grand-mothering and being involved with her family. As a homemaker, she served as a Cub Scout den mother, excellent cook, teacher, nurse, loving mother and devoted wife. Involved with 4-H, she wasn't afraid to go caving with the 4-H Challenge Course or chaperoning teenagers while driving a bus to Washington D.C. She was preceded in death by her parents; 2 sisters, Maxine Boone and Hazel Wertzler; a brother, Don Weed; a special aunt, Vera Woodard; and her stepmother, Margaret Dickens-Weed. On December 13, 1954, she was united in marriage to Robert T. Rapp who survives. Also surviving, 5 children, Robert Lori Rapp of Otsego, Mark Deb Rapp of Negaunee, MI, Martha Tim McDaniel of Lawton, Fred Anne Marie Rapp of Augusta, and David Shaun Rapp of Climax; 16 grandchildren, Sarah Chris Jacobs, R. Joseph Melissa Rapp, Jacob Trinity Rapp, Mary Rapp, Elizabeth, Genevieve, and Lydia McDaniel, Tyler Ashtyn Rapp, Emily Rapp, Darby Rapp, and Jacob and Cody Moody; 5 great-grandchildren, Summer Allen, Liliana and Stella Rapp, and Violet and Chloe Jacobs; a sister, Ethelyn Joseph Fogarty of Bell, FL; a sister-in-law, Maxine Bruce Mortensen and several nieces and nephews. Dawn was never judgmental, and she left a lasting impression to everyone who met her because of her kindness, witty sense of humor, integrity and faith. A memorial service will be held at 11 o'clock Saturday, December 12th at the Kalamazoo Covenant Church, 5708 East Main St. Friends may meet the family one hour prior to the service at the church. Private inurnment will be in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Kalamazoo Covenant Church Memorial Fund, Rose Arbor Hospice Program or the charity of your choice. Arrangements were made by the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. www.langelands.com . 343-1508.