Kathryn Marie Raap's Obituary
Kathryn Marie (Lappo) Raap, known as “Kay” or “Kiki” to friends and family, passed away at 97 years of age on March 20, 2021 due to complications from a stroke. She and her twin brother were the babies of the family, and the first of their six siblings to be born in a hospital on March 13, 1924. She was raised in a different age, with Polish as her first language in a farmhouse with no electricity or indoor plumbing. She attended St. Mike’s and Bates School and graduated from Muskegon High School in 1942. Her parents, John and Zofia Lappo and her siblings Leo, Edward, Mitchell, Anna, John, and twin Theodore (“Dodo”), were incredibly important to her and she valued her close relationships with each of them and their spouses and children. She resided in Muskegon for her entire life, up until moving into Robbinswood Assisted Living Facility in Grand Haven five years ago. With her first husband, she had two sons: Darrell and David Adams, and after the divorce, she “worked on the hill” as a secretary at Continental Motors until meeting the love of her life, Martin Raap. Two more sons, Mitchell and Patrick Raap, followed. To see her and Mart together was a joy and a privilege, and it gives her surviving family great pleasure to think of the happiness in heaven now that they are together again. Throughout her life Kiki had an unfettered, jovial outlook. Despite a lifelong hearing impairment, people were drawn to her and she was incredibly social and inviting in return. She possessed a rapier wit, and was consistently feisty, fun, and fun-loving. Kiki was a great pinochle player, and an even better gardener and cook. She had a delightful, generous, and contagious laugh, and she loved her children and grandchildren endlessly. Pages of letters and journals documenting heartwarming moments with her loved ones remain as a legacy of her love. Her home had an open-door policy, and on any given day you could walk in and find anyone - a neighbor or relative or friend-of-a-friend - enjoying one of her countless delicious meals or desserts. It was always “the more, the merrier”. She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings, her devoted husband Mart, and her boys Darrell, David, and Mitchell. She is survived by her son Patrick (Rhonda) Raap; daughters-in-law, Eva Raap and Suzanne Adams; grandchildren, Eric (Leichia) Adams, Carma Adams, Mischa Adams, Angel (Aaron) Dean, Deirdre Adams, Emir (Heather) Ayala-Romero, Marky (Nicole Hazekamp) Raap, Jasmine (Tomas) Maciel, and Chelsea (Zack Sharlow) Raap; 17 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Hospice of Grand Haven and the staff at Robbinswood Assisted Living Facility for the warm and loving care they gave Kay and the family. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, March 25, 2021 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church (3252 Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442) with Rev. Michael Olson presiding. VISITATION with Kathryn’s family will be one hour prior to her service. Due to state restrictions and concerns with Covid-19, masks and social distancing will be required. Burial will be in Egelston Township Cemetery.
What’s your fondest memory of Kathryn?
What’s a lesson you learned from Kathryn?
Share a story where Kathryn's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Kathryn you’ll never forget.
How did Kathryn make you smile?
