Cover photo for Gertrude Rapp's Obituary
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1927 Gertrude 2023

Gertrude Rapp

September 26, 1927 — January 20, 2023

Clyde

Clyde, Gertrude (Trudy) Rapp, 95, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, January 20, 2023 at Silver Bluff Village.

She was the daughter of deceased Willi and Carla Drangmeister, both German immigrants that entered the US through Ellis Island in the early 20’s. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Adolph Gustav Rapp, brother, William Charles Drangmeister; her grandson, Andy Perzan; her granddaughter, Melanie Rapp, her son-in-law, Donald A. Merrell and sons, Robert and Karl Rapp.

Trudy is survived by her daughters, Caroline C. Merrell of Canton and Madelyn Test of Round Rock, TX; her son, Dante Gotlieb Celia of Philadelphia, PA; 14 grandchildren: Megan Neal, Brooke Fish, Mark Merrell, Jonathan Merrell, David Merrell, Joshua Merrell, Elisha Sarvis, Bethanne Rapp Zimmerman, Pam Rapp Luetjen, Maral Rapp, Karlson Rapp, Eric-Alan Rapp, Lori Test and Tracy Test; 21 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Trudy’s lived her early years as a native of New York, New York. Due to her father’s position as a naval engineer, the family moved to Quincy, Mass. and then finally to Camden, NJ where Trudy spent most of her young adult life. She graduated from the Philadelphia Academy of Vocal Arts and pursued a career as a Wagnerian Soprano in Opera. She sang extensively in the New Jersey and Philadelphia areas. She also was an acclaimed artist, having many of her paintings exhibited. She was a writer and had many of her stories and poems published through the years. Her career included banking, graphic design and planning and directing the music for State St. Methodist Church in Camden, NJ. She married Adolph Rapp in 1968 and moved to his home in Riverside, NJ. She lived there and continued her numerous artistic endeavors until his death in 1998. In 1999 she moved to Clyde, NC.

Upon her move to Haywood County she quickly became an active member of our community. She was a faithful member of Longs Chapel UMC, where she sang in the choir and was involved with numerous small groups. She was a faithful volunteer at the Open Door Soup kitchen. She was a member of the Haywood County Watercolor Society and Art Alliance. She had many of her works of art displayed throughout the area.

Most importantly, she was a devoted servant of her Lord, Jesus Christ. She gave her heart to Jesus as a small child and never wavered in her faith. She has passed this legacy down to all of us who are honored to be called her progeny. She was our mamma, our Ohma, our friend and our example.

A Service of Celebration of Life will be held Friday, January 27 at 11:00 am in the sanctuary of Longs Chapel UMC, visitation to follow. All donations should be made to the Longs Chapel Building Fund, 133 Old Clyde Rd, Waynesville, NC 28785, (phone: 828-456-3993).

The care of Gertrude (Trudy) Rapp has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gertrude Rapp, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Celebration of Life

Friday, January 27, 2023

Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)

Long's Chapel United Methodist Church

175 Old Clyde Rd, Waynesville, NC 28785

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