Sophie Rapp

RIGA – Sophie K. Rapp, 92 formerly of Blissfield and Toledo, passed away Wednesday, September 22, 2010, at home. Sophie was born in Austria and immigrated to the United States in 1954. Together with her younger daughter, Sophie Helene, she came to Toledo, Ohio, to join her husband Ludwig Rapp. Although Sophie did not speak English at that time, she became very quickly involved in various community services and eventually opened the “Vienna Corner Restaurant” at the corner of Holland-Sylvania Road and Sylvania Avenue. Sophie cooked authentic Austrian specialties and became known not only for her delicacies, but also for her cheerful and outgoing personality. Sophie made many friends and distributed a lot of good cheer over either a “Wiener Schnitzel or Kaffee mit Schlag.” She was very actively volunteering at the International Institute of Toledo. She founded the Austrian Club of Greater Toledo, and was a founding member of the “International Festival” and “Christmas Around the World” at the Toledo Zoo. At one point in time, she even had a Llama named after her at the zoo. Sophie was also the recipient of Austria’s highest honor, the “Goldene Ehrenzeichen” for helping to foster better international relations for supporting student exchanges. Sophie was a lifelong supporter of the SOS Children’s Villages. In recent years, she moved to Blissfield, Michigan, to be closer to her daughter and family. She supported the Hospice of Lenawee. Sophie is predeceased by her husband, Ludwig Rapp, and grandson, Henry Peter Belcsak. She is survived by her daughters, Sophie Helene Crockett of Riga, Michigan and Juliana Belcsak of New Jersey and their husbands, Lowell Crockett and Hans Peter Belcsak; her grandchildren, Claudia Belcsak of New York; Kevon (Karrie) Martis and Eric (Paula) Martis of Blissfield and Riga; four great-grandchildren, Noah, Adam, Courtney and Garrett Martis; and a great-great grandchild, Broly Nakeith. Sophie gently tells her family and friends: “Sag’ beim Abschied leise Servus...so long for now, until we meet again…” The funeral Mass for Sophie will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 24, 2010 at Light of Christ Catholic Parish in Blissfield with Father Jack Loughran presiding. Burial will follow at Riga Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church prior to the service on Friday, from noon to 2 p.m. You may also send condolences to the family at www.wagleyfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Lenawee. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel.

Sophie Rapp

May 15, 1918 - September 22, 2010