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Submitted: 1/16/19 • Approved: 1/30/19 • Last Updated: 2/2/19 • R1251662-G1251661-S3
Sept 4, 1923 - July 17, 2018
Obituary
rollerfuneralhomes.com
The soul of Gertrude Rappold departed this world July 17, 2018 and returned back home to her Heavenly Father. Gertrude Marie (Weisenfels) Rappold was given as a gift from God to Anton and Mary (Seiter) Weisenfels on September 4, 1923. Born and raised at Morrison Bluff, Arkansas, (Logan County) she was the only daughter, in a family of 4 brothers (Joseph, Eugene, Augustine and Charles). After finishing an 8th grade education, she worked on the farm. She came to Conway to work for A.J. Hambuchen Sr, in 1942.
Gertrude married Thomas Joseph (T.J.) Rappold Jr. on May 20, 1946 and settled down in Conway to raise 9 children on the “rocky hillside” at 336 Sturgis Road. After all the children were in school, Gertrude started her career outside the home and worked for 23 years as a cafeteria worker in the Conway Public School System working at the Old Ellen Smith Elementary School (now St. Joseph Elementary School). She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Perpetual Adoration Adorer and member of St. Joseph Christian Ladies. In her retirement years she was an avid member of the Mayflower Senior Citizens Center and St. Joseph Senior Saints.
She is survived by her 8 children: Julia Ann Lauritzson, Phillip Rappold, Patrick Rappold (Colleen), Antonia Buendtner (Herman “Buddy”), Rita Sanders (Randy), Robert Rappold, Martin Rappold Timothy Rappold (Traci) and daughter in-law Patty Rappold. Two brothers Augustine and Charlie Weisenfels and numerous number of nieces and nephews that she loved dearly and each held a special place in her heart.
She was blessed to live such a long life and to get to be part of all 20 grandchildren’s lives; Jonathan Lauritzson, Patrick, Phillip, Alan, Robert, Justin Rappold, Nicholas, Steven and Anthony Buendtner, Joshua and Jered Sanders,Tricia Benish Susan Burgess, Katitlyn Whitmore and Trudy Rappold, Mary Muldrow, Jessica Sanders, Mike and Mark Clegg and Carmon Davis.
The Lord’s blessed her deeply to greet and be a memory to all her 30 Great- Grandchildren; Faith Hargis, Hailey, Maddie-Kate Benish, Ashton, Kylie and Scarlet Rappold, Brett Burgess, Payton, Cameron and Taylor Rappold, Julianna Lauritzson, Jonathan, Michael and Andrew Lauritzson, Landri, Avry, Travis, and Bronson Buendtner, Cohen Buendtner, Harper Buendtner, McKinley Buendtner, Murphy and Benson Muldrow, Isaiah, Christopher, Kyler and Cole Weaver, Khali Hart, Hunter and Tucker Rappold.
She was preceeded in death by her husband of 53 years, Thomas Joseph (T.J.) Rappold Jr., sons Michael and Vincent, brothers Joseph and Eugene Weisenfels and Sister-in laws Margaret Weisenfels, Dovie Rappold, Virginia Jarolim and Marie Rappold, and her sister-in-laws, Pauline and June Rappold, brother-in laws Paul Rappold, Jack Rappold, Cecil Rappold, Horace Rappold and son-in-law Ronald John Lauritzson.
Anyone who knew Gertrude Rappold was blessed by her examples of humility and love for all. She walked this life with a rock-solid faith in her GOD and devotion to our heavenly mother Mary. She loved fiercely her Catholic Faith passed down to her from her parents. She loved to tell stories of her childhood and the memories and hard times that she and her family had. She often made “homemade” bread and gave to others when they visited. In her later years, she loved to sit in her back-yard swing and “watch the world go by” as the cars hurried up and down Sturgis Road.
The long life that the Lord destined to Gertrude was His grace to her as she lived to see her children’s children. She lived her life serving everyone around her and everyone she met, always putting others before herself. She was a giver to all, and truly lived her faith and Jesus’s commandment “Love thy neighbor as thy self”. Gertrude is now gone to be part of the communion of saints.
Gertrude, “Sis”, “Mom”, “Momma” or “Granny” will be greatly missed, but we are all better persons to have known and been influenced by her values, dignity and morals that she exemplified to us day in and day out. She also cherished her family and friends at Bible Baptist Church and for their mission of serving to her!
“And her children, arise up and call her blessed” Proverbs 31:28.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, July 23 at 11:00AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church. A Holy Rosary will begin at 10:00AM and a short visitation prior to service will be at 10:30AM.
In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to: St. Joseph Endowment, Mayflower Senior Citizens Center or EWTN.
A special thank you from the family goes to Carol Jarolim, Jackie Kordsmeier and Teri Worm for always “being there” to take Mom places. You were like three extra daughters to her and she loved each of you dearly and in a very “special” way.
Her care givers Megan Buendtner and Patty Rappold – You both were a true blessing for her.
Contributed on 1/16/19 by hawkinsdonna48
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Record #: 1251662