Karen Ann Rappe

Karen Ann Rappe, 60, died Oct. 15, 2012, after a long battle with cancer.

Pastor Daniel Bracken will officiate at a funeral service at 1 p.m., Oct. 22, at King’s Chapel, 1701 N. Lucille St. Wasilla. After, Karen will be laid to rest at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery.

Karen was born July 6, 1952, in Seattle, Wash., to Robert Sewell Powell and Helen Peter Powell (Lathourakis).

Her family moved to Alaska in 1958. Karen loved cross-country skiing and running. She went to the Junior Nationals for cross-country skiing and ran the Mount Marathon race twice. The family moved back to Seattle in 1968. There, she attended college in Ellensburg and the University of Washington. She returned to Alaska in 1981 and married Craig Rappe in 1985. The family moved to Willow in 1988.

Karen was active in the community. She was a very outgoing and vibrant person. She was passionate with the family business, Rappe Excavating, operating machinery, supervising, raising a family and creating a home. Karen gave 100 percent.

The family wrote, “We love you Karen Ann! Thank you for the love and happiness you gave to us!”

Surviving are her husband, Craig; son, Tom Rappe and his wife Krystal; grandson, Brennen; daughter, Sarah Caven and husband Danie; granddaughter, Lilly; mother, Helen Powell; brothers, Robert and Bruce Powell; sister, Pamela Olson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory. An obituary and guestbook are online at alaskanfuneral.com.