Karen Salesman Rapp: 1952 – 2010
Karen Salesman Rapp, 57, a native of Churubusco and wife of Daryl B. Rapp, passed away at 6:50 p. m. on Friday, April 16, 2010, at the family residence in Smith Township following a lengthy illness.
Mrs. Rapp was born in Wolf Lake on November 28, 1952, a daughter of Richard L. “Dick” and Dorothy (Hyndman) Salesman, and spent her formative years in Churubusco. She graduated from Churubusco High School in 1971, and graduated from the Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in 1974.
On August 9, 1974 she was married in Allen County to Daryl B. Rapp of Churubusco, and moved with her husband to Texas in 1975. She had lived in Katy, Texas before returning to her Churubusco home recently.
She had worked as a registered nurse, but found her calling as a homemaker and a devoted mother who home schooled her daughter. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Katy and its Covenant Sunday School Class. In her leisure time she enjoyed travel, family activities, and caring for horses and other animals.
The surviving relatives include her husband of over 35 years Daryl; her daughter Sarah Rapp of Houston, Texas; her mother Dorothy Salesman of Churubusco; two sisters Diane (Randy) Zolman and Kathi Engle, both of Churubusco; a brother Greg (Teresa) Salesman of Churubusco; two uncles Don Hyndman and Dale (Joan) Hyndman, both of Churubusco; an aunt Barbara Hyndman of Churubusco; and several cousins. Her extended family was a vital part of her life.
She was preceded in death by her father Richard “Dick” Salesman on March 5, 2002.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. on Friday, April 23, 2010, at the Good News Baptist Church in Churubusco with Pastor Edward A. Thompson, officiating.
The family will receive friends at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco on Thursday from 2 to 8 p. m., or at the church one hour prior to the service.
Interment will be in the family plot at Eel River Cemetery, south of Churubusco.
For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund, 1315 Directors Row, #200, Fort Wayne, IN 46808.
***************************************
To leave an online condolence for the family in Mrs. Rapp’s memory, log on to www.sheetsandchilds.net
April 17th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
I was Karen’s Pastor in Katy, TX. Karen was one of the most beautiful Christians that I’ve ever met. Her constant smile, engaging personality, and continual encouragement were a wonderful display of God’s grace. Daryl and Sarah are equally devoted to our Lord and share Karen’s gift of a gentle spirit as well.
The First Baptist Church of Katy family will be at Karen’s service in spirit. We are grateful for her Indiana family and their care for our dear sister in her last days.
April 18th, 2010 at 10:09 am
Daryl
I’ve been praying on a daily basis for your entire family & will continue to do so as you go through the grieving process. Wish there as more I could do but I wanted you to know that I empathize with you and pray for God’s grace for you.
Regards
Bob
April 18th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Dear Daryl and Sarah,
I was so sorry to hear about Karen’s early passing from this life. I know she is in the Lord’s presence right now. I also know that the way she lived her life was a sweet savor unto God. She was a most precious wife, mother, lady, and a great Christian model. From what I observed, she lived through this adversity in her life with serenity and patience. I will pray that God will comfort you both at this time. It must be comforting to know that she ran the race victoriously. We all loved her too. God bless you. Sheila Shirrell
April 18th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
My heart goes out to you Mr. Rapp and Sarah. I am praying for your peace during this difficult time. She is now in Heaven with Jesus and suffers no more. I will always remember her as a beautiful example of a faithful Christian servant, mother, and wife.
April 18th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
Thinking of you Daryl, and Sarah. Prayers and love. Bob and Karen Lahr
April 18th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
Dear Kathi and the Salesman Family, Oh, I am SO Sorry, Kathi, to hear about the Loss of your precious Sister. I am thinking of ALL of you in this terrible time of Loss and You are in my Prayers. May the Lord Jesus hold Her in the Palm of His Loving Hand, God Bless, Ellen (Gilbert) Jefferies
April 19th, 2010 at 7:33 am
Daryl / Sarah
I am very sorry for your loss. My prayers are with both of you.
April 19th, 2010 at 7:55 am
Dear Daryl and Sara,
So sorry to hear aboutyour Wife and Mother. It is so hard on us left behind, but so joyous for her to go before us. She has no more pain and she is healed and is in the presents of her Lord and Savior.
Please let me know if I can help in anyway.
in Christ’s name,
Jim
April 19th, 2010 at 10:06 am
Please accept my condolence of your loss. Karan was a lovely person and will be missed by all.
Leonard
April 19th, 2010 at 10:21 am
Daryl and Sarah,
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy and concolences. I know it’s been a long and painful journey. Please remember that Karen now rests in the arms of Jesus.
Regards,
Scott Davidson
Mustang Engineering, L.P.
April 19th, 2010 at 10:29 am
Daryl and family – you have my sincerest condolences. Take care.
April 19th, 2010 at 10:31 am
Daryl: I am very sorry about hearing of the loss of your wife. I hope she did not suffer. I lost my wife in 2004 and I can assure you that she is in a better place. God will care for her for eternity as he will us all. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family in this stressful time.
From a Mustang Friend,
Jerry Harris
April 19th, 2010 at 10:34 am
Dear Daryl,
Donna and I feel like Katy neighbors to you and Karen and feel a burden for your pain and loss. I appreciate your relationship and pray that God will carry you in this trial.
Brad and Donna Hubbard
April 19th, 2010 at 10:36 am
Daryl,
You and your family are in our prayers. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help you in this time of grief.
God’s Blessings,
Tim & Donna McElmurry
April 19th, 2010 at 10:37 am
May the joy of the Lord be your strength during this hard time and may Jesus’ promise of eternal life be your blessed hope and encouragement.
In His Grace,
David Jackson
April 19th, 2010 at 10:45 am
Daryl and Sarah,
We were so saddened to hear of your loss. Karen was an incredible woman of God. I have so many wonderful memories of her kindness, gentleness, and dedication to the Lord. She was so beautiful!
You are in our prayers during this time. May the Lord comfort you. We love you.
Karl and Julie (McDonnel) Bannert
April 19th, 2010 at 10:59 am
Daryl and Sarah…
Our family is so grateful and priveleged for knowing you and having known your precious Karen. You have all always walked the talk and have been a wonderful and consistent model of Christlikeness. Karen was the sweetest Christian lady, a person of such strong character, and a dear friend of Janice. We share your old fashioned values and love for the Lord and for family. May the God who has secured our eternal destiny, and given us ongoing hope and purpose, wrap His Fatherly arms around you and continue to offer His perfect comfort and compassion to you during this time. And may your witness even now be unique and effective, to the glory of God.
“When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)
Joe, Janice & Emily Sanders
April 19th, 2010 at 11:33 am
Daryl,
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your wife. I know these past fews years have been a long rough road to travel. I want you to know that my heart goes out to you and your daughter. I pray the Lord brings you peace.
Robin Schaefer
Mustang
April 19th, 2010 at 11:34 am
Our hearts go out to you in this time of mortal grief, Daryl and Sarah. May God in His infinite mercy, give you strength and peace in the knowledge that Karen is now nestled in the arms of the Almighty Father basking in His everlasting love. Be joyous that you will someday be reunited with Karen through God’s steadfast promises to His people.
April 19th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Dear Daryl and Sarah,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve for Karen. Your family has been such a blessing to our family in so many ways. Your faithfulness to the Lord taught us all so much because you were a godly example to all who knew you. Karen had the sweetest most gentle personality, but was so strong in her love of God and her family. She brought so much joy in our lives with her unfailing love and kindness. Her love for you and Sarah were examples to all who witnessed it. We pray for God’s comfort at this time in the way only He can give comfort.
Love in Christ, Mac and Sue
April 19th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Daryl and Sarah,
My heart and prayers are with you. Karen was so precious, and she will be missed. I can’t wait to see her again. She was a woman I admired greatly!
April 19th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
I knew Karen for a very short time, however we bonded immediately, and you have been in my prayers since that day. I am so glad you had some time in the new home. It was built with love and I know Karen loved it also. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
April 19th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Dear Daryl(and Sarah): Although we met
rarely since those days at CHS, I will
remember Karen with the same sense of gentle kindness and spritural maturity that is mentioned in many of the con-dolences here. I grieve, with you, the loss of her presence on this earthly plain. I rejoice in her arrival with our Lord. God has finished the good work He began in Karen all those years ago which was, even then, so evident to all who knew her. May His com-forting presence enfold you now and in the days to come.
April 19th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Daryl and Sarah,
We are so sorry to hear of Karen’s passing and our prayers are with you. On the few times we met Karen she embodied a very gracious and sweet spirit, which must have stemmed from her love of Christ and you both. She will be missed. Over the years I have known you, every time you mentioned Karen, it was with great respect and caring. Your family is such a strong Christian role model to the rest of us. God will carry you both through this time as you trust in and lean on Him.
Steve and Connie Pyles
Anadarko
April 19th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Daryl & family,
I am sorry for your loss. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
P J Gavankar
Mustang
April 19th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Daryl,
I am sorry for the loss of your wife.
My heart goes out to you and I wish you strength and peace during these difficult times.
April 20th, 2010 at 7:16 am
Daryl and Sarah,
I was really taken aback by the news. How special you guys are. I pray that the Lord will carry you during this time. As I think back on my growing up years, Karen was there, such a loving, kind, sacrificial person. She will be greatly missed. What a privilege to have known her.
April 20th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Daryl: Mere words are so inadequate at unique times like this but know that Karen is in our prayers. Our deepest condolences to you and your daughter.
Vince & Sharon Cuevas
April 20th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Daryl and Sarah,
Karen was truly a treasure, and it was an honor to have known her. She enriched and brightened our lives with her love and joyful faith in Christ.
Tommy and I will be praying that you will be comforted by the Lord’s unfailing love and your many precious memories of Karen.
April 20th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Daryl, Sarah, and family,
So very sorry about your loss. May our Loving and Heavenly Father lift you up during this difficult time. May you all be blessed with His Peace to know Karen is in the awesome presense of our Lord, as we look forward when we will all be reunited with our loved ones forever in Heaven!
In Jesus name I pray for you and your family!
April 20th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
We never knew Karen well, yet some people you meet you never forget. She was such a beautiful woman inside and out. We moved,but we thought of her often and were sad that she had to endure pain these past years. Our sympathy to you, Daryl, and Sarah who we watched grow up at Katy Bible. May the Lord give you both peace. John & Marie VanDyke
April 20th, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Dear Daryl and Sara,
Memories of Karen and your family bring great pleasure to us as we look back on times together at Katy Bible Church and to the first classroom at Mrs. Stocks school for Sara and our Matt. One picture comes to mind, that of Karen seated facing the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Colorado during Bible study where she exhibited the glow of a woman after God’s own heart. Her gentle, quite spirit was always evident along with her winsome smile. We are the richer for having known her. May God’s comforter, the Holy Spirit minister in a special way to you both.
In His love,
Mike and Elaine
April 20th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Dear Rapp and Salesman families,
Karen was a special person and will be greatly missed by all. May God be with you in your sorrow.
April 20th, 2010 at 10:11 pm
Daryl and Sarah,
Please know we are praying for you and your extended family as you journey through this time of loss. Though we have been absent from your lives for many years, time does not erase the joy we shared as part of the Katy Bible Church family.
Karen was such an inspiration to me as we shared our interest in nursing. She cheered me on and am sure prayed for me during my studies and shared the joy of accomplishment when I graduated. She even called upon me to cover for her on her job when she was pregnant with Sarah.
I will remember her sweet smile, her servant’s heart and her devotion to her family and her Lord.
May you know His presence and peace.
Yours in Christ,
Pat and Linda Caraway
April 20th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Dear Daryl and Sarah,
Les and I are saddened to hear about Karen’s passing. I check the Katy Times website from time to time to catch up on some Katy news since we are now living in Fredericksburg. It is hard for us to believe that Karen has passed away. We always loved having you as our neighbors and think of it as the “good old days”. Karen was so very special. We will pray for you that God will bless you both during these difficult times.
April 21st, 2010 at 7:26 am
I am so sad to hear of the passing of Mrs. Rapp. I will forever remember her as my next door neighbor as a child growing up. May God Bless you all doing this time
April 21st, 2010 at 10:14 am
Greg Salesman, We are sad to hear about your lost we will keep you and your family in our prayers may GOD comfort you and your family during this difficult time .
God Bless Brian Everly & Family
April 21st, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Dear Daryl and Sarah,
I don’t have any words that can offer you any comfort at this moment in your life, but know that I’m here for you if you ever need anything. May God’s comfort be with you now and forever.
Dee
April 21st, 2010 at 5:01 pm
Daryl,
I wish that I could offer some form of relief that would compare to the wisdom you shared with me so many times when I needed guidance. Please accept my deepest condolences for you and Sarah.
Matt
April 21st, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Dearest Daryl and Sarah,
We are lifting you both up in prayer to the great I AM. God shows Himself strong in the times we are weak. He will sustain you with the gentleness of His character.
We were so blessed to know Karen. She was a true gentle, quiet, spirit. Denise learned a lot from watching her and getting to know her during those years we worshipped with you. She is already being missed by everyone whose life she touched.
We love you both and will be praying continually for you.
April 21st, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Daryl & Sarah,
We were so saddened to hear of Karen’s passing. What an encouragement to us to know that she is now with our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. I remember the first time you & Karen visited Katy Bible Church and what friendly people you both were. It must have been that good Midwest upbringing. We remember the times you & Karen allowed Sarah to dog-sit for us with Bitsie. Thanks for your faithfulness, Daryl, in serving on the front lines for so many years at KBC. In the background there was always Karen serving as your faithful wife and companion. What a picture of strength you both were. We will remember her as a very godly and stong woman that loved God first, and then her husband and daughter, just as fervently. May God give you His peace and comfort in the coming days. We will be praying for you and Sarah.
Trying to keep the SON in our eyes,
Paul & Elva Crist
April 22nd, 2010 at 2:16 am
To the Salesman and Rapp families
Our condolences and prayers to you at this time of loss. Our prayers for you all.
April 22nd, 2010 at 6:50 am
I am so very sorry for your loss.
April 22nd, 2010 at 6:52 am
We are so very sorry for your loss of Karen.
Chris and Irieta
April 22nd, 2010 at 7:35 am
We are so very sorry for your loss.
Chris and Irieta
April 22nd, 2010 at 9:17 am
Rapp & Salesman families,
Karen’s presence brightened our lives. Eternal light now shines upon her in the presence of our Lord. My sincere condolences to you all.
Rob
April 22nd, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Thinking of the Rapp and Salesman Families ~
The loss of a loved one is so painful…may your hearts be filled with happy memories of your daughter, sister, wife and mother. We are sending our deepest sympathies.
Carolyn & Daryl Erwin(CHS Class of ‘71)
April 22nd, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Daryl, Sarah (whom I never had the pleasure to meet}, & Salesman family,
I really wasn’t ready for one of our classmates to go on to be with our Lord because that must mean that we’re getting old. I’m remembering the slumber parties in junior high & grade school, Karen the beautiful blonde cheerleader & Daryl the basketball player, and the class of ‘71. How sweet and innocent were those days & now life gets tougher. The Lord says that He won’t give us more than we can handle so I’m guessing that He thinks you’re all pretty strong in your faith. My thoughts & prayers are with you all. How joyous for Karen to be with the Father even though we can’t always understand the big picture.
April 22nd, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Dear Daryl and Sarah,
So sorry for your loss, but we know you are grateful Karen no longer suffers. We are thankful for your family and friendship so many years at KBC. May our blessed Savior, on whom we depend, comfort you all at this time as only He can do. Is. 26:3-4!
Love,
Bob & Loretta
April 23rd, 2010 at 8:37 am
Daryl,
Many years ago we crossed paths in Dubai; we have a fond remembrance of both you and Karen. My sincerest condolences to you and your daughter Sarah on your loss.
Ken
April 23rd, 2010 at 10:35 am
Daryl, Sara, Dorothy, Diane, Kathy & families, please accept my sincere sympathy for our loss. Karen was a beautiful lady. I have thought of her often through the years since high school. I prayed that she would find peace from her pain. She is in a better place and will live on in our hearts.
April 23rd, 2010 at 11:10 am
Dear Daryl and Sarah,
We are praying for you daily and know that the Lord will provide a peace that passes all understanding. We love you guys and will miss Karen so much. Karen meant a lot to us, and I (Megan) am grateful for how she influenced my entire life. She was such a Godly example to us. We know she is with the Lord, and we will see her again.
We love you,
Dom and Megan Grotti
April 23rd, 2010 at 11:16 am
Dear Daryl and Sarah,
We have been holding you up in our prayers and are confident the Lord is giving you comfort.
It is easy for us to be heavy-hearted knowing Karen is no longer a phone call away, but we dwell on God’s promises about heaven, knowing she is in His presence and we are glad!
We love you,
Dick and Mickey
April 23rd, 2010 at 1:18 pm
It’s been 11 years now since we moved to Minneapolis from Katy but I still read the Katy Times on-line and was so saddened to read that Karen had passed away. We met the two of you when you first moved to Houston and our paths have crossed many, many times through the years. It was always a joy to be with you and to experience the loving spirit the two of you had. Karen’s not a person you easily forget – she had a lovely smile and a spirit to match. Her love for Jesus and her family was reflected in her life. Heaven is a richer place today. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Daryl, and Sarah and your extended family.
LeRoy & Erma Hammond, Minneapolis, MN
April 24th, 2010 at 10:52 am
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Please let me know if I can help you in any way.
April 26th, 2010 at 9:25 am
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
April 26th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
Dear Diane, Salesman & Rapp familes,
Please accept my sincere condolences during your time of loss. My thoughts & prayers are with you and your families.
April 27th, 2010 at 7:00 am
Daryl, Sarah, and family,
What a joy and blessing it has been to know Karen. I last spoke with her by phone during the summer of 2008. She was so very excited about how the Lord was being glorified through her illness.
I grieve with you…please take comfort in knowing that Jesus Himself is a “man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief,” and He will bring comfort.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones. Ps. 116:15.
With love and prayers,
Cathy Stamey