Rachael Lee (Repnak) Lapp

KALISPELL — Rachael Lee (Repnak) Lapp, 24, peacefully "entered into her rest in Jehovah's memory" on Sept. 28, 2006, surrounded by her loved ones. While Rachael was taken from them much too young, her family finds comfort in knowing that Rachael believed in God and will be resting in Jehovah's memory, awaiting the day when he will resurrect her into a perfect world.

Rachael came into this world June 6, 1982, to Becky Kirkwood in Polson. Rachael brought much love to her mother's life, and the two were inseparable from that point on. They had many adventures together during the early years, such as moving to California before finally settling in the Flathead Valley.

On June 18, 1988, their lives were joined with Lloyd Repnak in Polson, and they became a family on that special day. Lloyd welcomed Rachael into his heart as his daughter and loved her as one in every way. The day that she officially became his daughter was a cause for great celebration. The family grew with the addition of Rachael's sister, Aubray, and the event was much anticipated by Rachael as she was going to be the "Big Sister."

Rachael was known as the kind of person who would help you in a time of need, was loyal to her friends and loved ones, and had a great love of life. One of the many loves of Rachael's was her love of the outdoors. This showed in many of the activities that she shared with loved ones over the years. She spent many hours fishing, swimming, and hunting with her dad and mom, and many cousins and friends.

Many of Rachael's school years were spent at Fairmont-Egan where she made many friends and memories. She continued her education at Flathead High School where she met her special group of friends — who were by her side through the many ups and downs of becoming a young woman. She graduated in June 2000, prepared and eager to begin her adult life. Her friends and she had much fun and shared many tears as they traveled the path to adulthood and grew through their experiences and forays into the worlds of wife and motherhood.

Rachael met Michael Lapp, who became the love of her life, in 2003 and they began to build their life together with friends and family. Shortly after, they were excited to discover that they were soon to be blessed with the addition of a child born of their love. On April 27, 2004, Josephine Wendy entered the world to become Rachael's pride and joy. Rachael found great contentment in being a mother, even though the experience was a new one for her. She spent many hours with Josephine teaching, playing, singing, and just reveling in the joys of motherhood.

She left us much too early but has left us with a lifetime of memories to help us through the hard days and to help keep her memory alive for Josephine and her loved ones.

Rachael was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather and maternal grandmother.

She leaves behind her husband, Michael Lapp; daughter, Josephine; father and mother, Lloyd and Becky Repnak; and sister, Aubray; father-in-law, Vance A. McMillan; and sister-in-law, Debbie Bergeson.

Rachael touched many lives and also left behind many, many beloved family members and friends who will cherish her memory.

A memorial service for Rachael was held Oct. 4, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home in Kalispell.