Ruthi Rapp
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Our beloved Ruthi Rapp left us on June 20th, 2024, after a sudden illness. Memorial services will be held at Woodlawn Elementary School at 10:30am on Friday, June 28th, 2024.
Ruth Ann Clark was born on July 4, 1945, to Ben and Ruth (Dowell) Clark and was raised in Prairie Village, KS. She graduated with a degree in education from the University of Kansas. Most of Ruthi’s teaching career was in 8th grade English and History at South Junior High in Lawrence, KS. Before retiring, she became the Social Studies Coordinator for Lawrence Public Schools. In her “retirement,” Ruthi worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and as a para at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School and Deerfield Elementary School. In the last few years, Ruthi tutored students at the Boys and Girls Club teen center.
On a unique blind date of roller skating in 1976, Ruthi found her person in Patrick Rapp. They married just three months later and celebrated 48 years of marriage on April 10th. Their son Darren was adopted in 1980, giving daughter Elizabeth a sibling.
While working full time and raising two children, Ruthi earned her Master’s degree in Education from the University of Kansas.
In addition to her husband Pat, Ruthi is survived by her brother Milt, daughter Elizabeth, bonus daughter April, step children Michael and Cameron, eleven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Ruthi was preceded in death by her parents and son Darren Andrew Rapp.
Along with her passion for education, Ruthi supported Lawrence, KS through service on committees like Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), the St. Patrick’s Day Committee, Kids Voting and summer enrichment for Boys and Girls Club. Her sole hobby was supporting others. Ruthi could be seen at nearly every game, camp send-off, music program and celebration. She was a champion for the activities and studies of her grandchildren in Lawrence and countless people succeeded through her love and guidance.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Lawrence Humane Society, 1805 E. 19th Street, Lawrence, KS 66046 or Douglas County CASA, 725 N. 2nd Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
A celebration of life in Ruthi’s honor will be held at Rappaho Vineyard at 5:00pm on Saturday, June 29, 2024, in Vinland, KS.
Thoughts and prayers to the family. She was a very kind and wonderful lady. She loved being around the students. I will regret never going to pick grapes…
We are so sad to hear of Ruthi’s passing! Ruthi was truly a kind, lovely lady, and we will miss her. May she rest in peace. Our hearts go out to Pat and her family.
So sorry to hear about Ruthi. I always love her lessons on the map at St Pats meetings. She will be missed by so many. Our prayers go out to Pat and the family. What a wonderful teacher.
Pat and family, Gary and I are so very sorry to hear about the passing of Ruthie. When we met the two of you 28 years ago in Grief support we met two new lifelong friends. It was always great to see you guys at our get-togethers or out and about in Lawrence. Ruthie was loving and caring and so kind to everyone and she will be missed very much by the many lives she touched. We are keeping the entire family in our thoughts and prayers and if you need anything at all, do not hesitate to let us know. Love and hugs.
So sorry for the loss.of Ruthi. I met her working at the paper but then got to know her on a personal level. She was such a kind, sweet, interesting person.
I first met Ruthie when I was new at the school administration offices. She was friendly, kind and very patient teaching me the ropes. Throughout the years it was always a pleasure seeing her with her ready smile & loving hugs.
So very sorry to hear about Ruthi passing. She had a lovely smile and caring heart. She helped a lot of people in her life’s journey. Prayers for her family and friends. She will be deeply missed.
Bethi, I was so very sorry to hear of your mother’s passing! Prayers for you and your family as you move through this difficult time. Warmest thoughts, Sharon
I am broken hearted to lose my dear cousin, Ruthann. We were very close when we were young. We had lost touch for many years, but found each other a few years ago. I was so glad we had a great visit then. I had thought we might have more visits ahead of us. Pat, I am so sorry for your loss.I wish I could be there to comfort you and the rest of the family.
Ruthi was one of those people who actually did make the world a better place. She touched thousands of lives, and her spirit lives on in all of us. She was a rare example of goodness, with just enough mischievousness to keep things fun.
Ruthi was a beautiful human and one of the greatest educators with whom I had the pleasure to work.
Heartbroken! The last thing Ruthi said to me, 2 weeks ago, was “You are loved”. That is a memory that will always be a blessing to me. I met Ruthi when we worked together with a student at South Jr. High in the early 90’s. I loved her wit, her intelligence, and her deep caring for her students. I left Lawrence in 1997 for 13 years. When I returned in 2010, I couldn’t believe my great fortune to have the opportunity to work with her again at LMCMS! I hope she knew how much her clear take on situations always inspired me to take the high ground. What a jewel she was to her students and to her friends. We’ve been part of first, a quarterly happy hour, then monthly lunch group, for a few years now and I can’t express how much she will be missed in our group. My sincere condolences to Pat and her dear family and to all the others whose lives were touched by such a wonderful wonderful woman. We were so lucky to cross her path❤️.
Dear Pat, My sincere condolences regarding your loss.May the Lord strengthen and comfort you. Blessings, Ginger Bartley Wilkins
Our hearts are broken with the loss of Ruthi. We have so many memories with her and will cherish them all. She will be missed by so many. Sending love and thinking of you Patrick and family.
Pat,
On behalf of the KJRFC Family, we are so sorry for your loss.
I loved Ruthie. She was always positive and pleasant. And she made me want to be that way too.
I worked with her at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School. She was a great supporter of the students and staff. She was always helpful during any activity. She was an important part of any team she was a member. She was a pleasure to talk to because she was so smart and had so many interests. She was fun and funny and kind. My thoughts and prayers are with the family because I know she will be greatly missed.
Pat, Linda and I send our deepest condolences on Ruthi’s passing. We are thinking of you in this difficult time.
Oh Pat, my heart goes out to you and your family for the loss of Ruthi. She sounded like a wonderful person.
Sorry! My last name is Doud.
Our deepest condolence to the Rapp family for the loss of Ruthi. She seemed an incredible human being. We will remember her and the family in our prayers.
Sincerely,
Darrell and Mia Baker
“Red Rock Friends”
I enjoyed working with Ruthi at the paper and was saddened to hear of her passing. Condolences to the family.
It was such a shock to learn of Ruthie’s passing. She was always kind to me and the other artists that we call the “tribe”. I am sending you, Pat, and your family, my sincerest condolences. My hope is that you have many happy memories that will help you through this terrible loss.
My heart is broken. Ruthi and I have been dear friends for over 30 years. I have so many memories, some of which were our happy hours at Henry T’s, our girl’s trips to Elko, Nevada, our one day flight to Minneapolis with Dolph for a Kids Voting meeting, and hours spent on boards and committees together. Ruthi always had a smile on her face and a place in her heart for anyone who needed help. Patrick, I am so glad you both were able to come see us at the lake when you did. I will forever miss her, as will Mark. Sending love to you and your family. Thank you for sharing this special lady with me all those years. She will be missed but I find comfort in knowing she is with her precious Darren for eternity.
She was my teacher. Beautiful, with her long, dark hair. Kind. Made learning interesting. Thoughtful. She came to my dad’s visitation after he passed suddenly at the age of 90. I hadn’t seen her in years, yet recognized her immediately, as, she was, in a word, unforgettable. No. I will not forget you Ms. Baird (Rapp). Godspeed.
Ms Ruthi was an amazing woman. She had the biggest sweetest heart!
I knew her from my time at Free State as I went to school with her son. My middle daughter had the privilege of being around her at BGC.
My thoughts and prayers to the family, now Darren her are together again ❤️
Condolences from Lisa Rooney and Sofia Martinez
Love and prayers to beautiful Ruthi’s family & friends. Ruthi was my favorite teacher, a dear friend and lovely neighbor. I will miss her so very much. Comforted to know she is no longer in any pain and with her son Darren and parents.
One can not think about St Patrick’s Day and children’s charities without the hoping of Ruthi. The impact she’s had on our community will last for generations to come. Although she will be deeply missed she will always be fondly remembered.
Such fun memories of Ruthi at St. Pat’s events and meetings. She will be dearly missed. Love to Pat and the rest of the family.
I met Ruth in whatevervyear that was that the movie Bullitt (?) was released. She and her then-husband and I went to that movie. She and Pat and I have been friends ever since. I’m sorry i can’t be at the vineyard for Ruth’s memorial; what a beautiful place for it.
I am so sorry for family’s loss she was close to my heart . I had her as a teacher South she made a difference in my life.
Ruthi was a great educator and a wonderful person. I interacted with her through the Lawrence School district.
my condolences to the family.
I met Mrs. Rapp when she was my para, when she helped me in 6th-grade band class, with Mrs. Cox and Mr. Hunt, and with Mrs. Olden and I am trying to say that, she was the best woman, but I am going to miss her
1945-2024
Ruthi was so much fun at LJW BUNCO! I learned so much from her about love and life – we had many deep discussions. I have had her on my mind over the past few months. My thoughts are with you all, may you find peace and know that she was loved by all.
-T.
I was fortunate to have been able to chat a little bit with Mrs. Rapp a while back through Facebook. I was her student back in the 1980s at South Junior High. She was one of those teachers who went above and beyond in her duties and one who left a deep impression upon me. Such as when an insolent student once rudely snapped at her asking why we had to learn new vocabulary she replied, very calmly: “So you don’t sound like an 8th grader for the rest of your life!”