Obituary
Steven T. Rapraeger
Steven Rapraeger passed away peacefully on December 22, 2021 at his home in Holmen, WI at the age of 73. He suffered from a decades long battle with Multiple Sclerosis but he fought it with courage and determination. Steve led a good-humored and family- oriented life which was shared by his high school sweetheart, Kathleen. He graduated from West Salem High School in 1967 and went on to graduate with a Marketing degree from University of Wisconsin-Stout in 1973.
After graduating from UW-Stout, Steve and Kathy married on February 23, 1974. They would grow their family to have their boys, Matthew and Ryan, and a daughter, Ahna. Steve enjoyed meeting and working with the people through his work at Trane Company and Midwest Gas Company.
Steve enjoyed collecting coins, stamps, and baseball cards. He savored the simple things in life such as candy, going on car rides, mowing the lawn, and a good hot dog. Above all, Steve cherished time with his family and his extended family.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy, his son, Matthew of La Crosse, and his daughter Ahna (Hector) of Holmen. Also, Steve’s grandchildren, Alyssa, Kayleen, Hector, Rylee, and Allienna will mourn his jokes and fun. Those that will miss him are his sister Debbie Jensen, many nieces and nephews, and a lifelong friend, Marv Rockwell.
Steve is reunited with his son, Ryan Rapraeger, sisters Simone Baker and Rebecca Wolfe, and his parents.
A Memorial Service for Steve will be held on Saturday, January 22nd, 2022 at 2:00 pm at The Gathering Place, 133 Mason St. in Onalaska, with visitation starting at 1:00 pm until the time of the service. Pastor Jonathan Kruschel will officiate.
The Service will be live streamed through Zoom, and can be viewed using the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89535418609pwd=WUphclZwb0dmM0NYUkR2RmtrRWZIQT09
We are so saddened to hear of Steve’s passing. We always enjoyed visiting with him. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you all.
My most sincere condolences.
Jerry Hanoski
Kathy, Matt, Ahna and family…..we are so sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. He was such a gentle being. Always a smile and a positive attitude. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. The La Sarges
Kathy,
I am so sorry to see his. I was just thinking about you both the other day, he will be missed
RIP, Steve. You were a joy to be around. You are loved and will be missed by many family and friends. There are so many that went before you that will be welcoming you with open arms. I am thinking about my husband, Lee, Aunt Joyce and Uncle Paul and their daughter, Mary, and son, Conrad. FLY HIGH. You earned your wings. You fought a hard fight here on earth…never giving up. Condolences to Kathy, Ahna and Matt and the entire family.
RIP Uncle Steve. Your joyful & kind spirit will be missed. ❤️
Kathy & Family. I am very sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. He was a great guy, and I know he will be missed.
We went to Stout together, and went on quite a few adventures while we were there.
Dan Schleh
Kathy, So sorry to hear of the Rapper passing. He was a one of a kind friend. His friendship was truly a gift. We had many good times at Stout. Steve had a great sense of humor and his moral compass was well grounded. One memory that illustrates his character occurred when I had car problems and no money for a tow. Steve towed my car 300 miles back to LaCrosse.
RIP Rapper. Lew Melby Glendive, Montana
Another angel in heaven. Steve was the greatest neighbor for so many years. Couldn’t have been any kinder….one of the very few I still let call me “Emmy” every time I saw him. Kathy, Matt and Ahna… thoughts and prayers are with you!
I’m sure going to miss my loyal friend Steve. He was an inspiration , never a complaint and always a humorous comment or two . We had many fun and interesting conversations over coffee and donuts. My condolences to Kathy and family.
Kathy, Matt and Ahna,
Steve was a great next-door neighbor on ‘the prairie’ and left a lasting impression of gentle kindness with us. He fought MS with all his determination and inspired us in this over the years. Our sympathy is with you in your loss. May God give you strength and comfort!
Steve,
I trust you are enjoying that great hot dog and a soda with peanuts in an old ballpark with Ryan and other loved ones that you’ve rejoined. You probably drove there in your Mustang.
I’ll never forget that foul ball off of Ted Simmons’s bat that popped out of your mit when we saw the Brewers and Twins. I will forever remember you mowing and helping at Kinder’s Kabin in Rock Dam. You worked hard hard and you played hard.
Nephew Darren
Kathy, Matt and Ahna,
We are so very sorry for the loss of Steve. We will remember his big smile and always had a positive outlook on life. We always enjoyed him stopping by on his way to Menards. He will be missed.
Steve was a dear friend to our family and loved like another son to Mom and Dad. His humor, kindness and friendship meant so much to all of us. RIP dear Steve….
Rest In Peace, Steve. We all remember you and family in our Brice Prairie neighborhood watching our children grow up together. Blessings to all.
Kathy and family – Thinking of you all and praying you find peace and comfort.
Cherish the memories.
Kathy, Matt & Ahna, Always remember Steve for his positive outlook and his
friendliness. Enjoyed coaching with him on Brice Prairie. Keeping you in our
prayers – our heartfelt love & sympathy, Dan & Cathy Braund
Kathy and Family,
Remembering one of the nicest people I have ever met in my life. So glad I was able to reacquaint with Steve at the Onalaska YMCA in Onalaska the year before COVID while we enjoyed talking and watching our grandchildren in their programs. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Kathy, and your family.
With fond memories of a great guy…Anita Osgood
Kathy and Kids/a very long time ago (fall of ’68 and spring of ’69) I was enrolled at WWTI in the Marketing and Merchandising course/I do believe Steve was a classmate and also pledged the TIU Fraternity with myself and Steve Kellicutt, Roger Benson and a few others/TIU was a service fraternity that helped out on campus with projects in need of extra hands/after spending more time in the student union than in class and with the war still going on I enlisted in the Naval Reserves and left La Crosse off and on until August of 1972/by that time everyone had scattered and I had lost contact with those guys/I remember Steve was a hoot during the short time we spent together in and out of class and at one time was going to look him up but was not sure where to start/I am sorry that he has passed and that I never got to make that connection again/people say “sometimes life gets in the way” and often times it does!
Our deepest sympathy to Steve’s family. I will always remember our Hawaii trip with Kathy and how you could not get home soon enough to be with the love of your life!! Steve always was smiling and was an honor to know him. May he rest in peace and comfort now. May God bring peace and comfort to Steve’s family during this time. Sincerely, Kathy and Jeff Brudos
As a high school classmate of Steve’s, I have good memories of Steve even though we haven’t seen each other for many years. Steve was always a friendly and sincere classmate. I will always value the memories of playing on the Panther football team together. My condolences to Kathy and the rest of his family.
Dear Kathy, and family my deepest sympathies to you in the loss of your long time sweet heart and Dad and Grandfather. Steve and Kathy, your names always described one great couple. It has been ages since we worked together Kathy, first at Gundersen and then Holmen School District. I will be thinking of you and sending prayers for God to wrap his comforting arms around you and your family. Please keep in touch if you wish. In Sympathy and caring Donna Gallup
So sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. Bill will sure miss his visits with Steve, his smiling face and kindness. Going out for breakfasts will never be the same without him. Our sincere sympathy to Kathy and his family.