In Memory

Jeanette Rapstad (SHS Teacher)

Jeanette Rapstad

 Jeanette Rapstad

Jeanette Rapstad, who taught us all not only how to battle cancer with laughter and an indomitable spirit, but conquer life with the same attitude, lost her eight-year battle on Saturday, December 10.

Irene and Sam Crabtree gave birth to Jeanette on October 11, 1941, in Elk City, OK. Jeanette attended school in Oklahoma and Montana and graduated from Poplar in 1959. Jeanette’s natural gift to help others started early as she obtained her teaching degree and took her first teaching job in Lockwood, MT. She married Ted Rapstad in 1962. They moved to Poplar and gave birth to their first daughter, Janelle, before moving to Sheridan, WY. Four years after moving to Sheridan her second daughter, Teddi, was born. Jeanette spent nearly 40 years working for the Sheridan School District.

Jeanette represented a dream mom, the kind who made all holidays special, had afterschool treats for her girls and their friends, and taught both of them to be generous loving mothers. She also set a stellar example as she cared lovingly and with humor for Ted until his death in 2000. A devoted grandmother, she spent many hours watching her grandchildren excel in various activities. In the past two years, Jeanette found special happiness with Richard Summers and we thank him for bringing her joy and companionship.

Jeanette’s special talents to help those of all ages allowed her to touch a large part of the Sheridan community. She lead her life with a generous heart, compassion, and ability to understand others which bettered many lives. Her outreach and charity to those in the community staggers us. Countless people tell stories of her help, her time, her calls. All of you honor her when you share how she touched your lives.

Those who will miss her include her two devoted daughters and son-in-laws, Janelle and Scott Hanser of Billings; Teddi and David Heard of Billings; four adoring grandchildren Austin, Dylan, Peyton and Hayden; her devoted dog Tuffy; one sister Louise Thomas of Deer Lodge, one brother Jim Crabtree of Apple Valley, CA; special friend Richard Summers; special sisters-in-law; many loving nieces and nephews and countless friends. Her husband, mother and father preceded her in death.

Funeral Services for Jeanette will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, December 15, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Doug Melius officiating. Inurnment will be held at 4:00

P. M. on Thursday, December 15, 2011 at the Sunset Memorial Gardens in Billings, MT.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to CASA – Child Advocacy Services of the Big Horns at 429 W. Alger, Sheridan, WY 82801.

Online condolences may be written at www.kanefuneral.com.

Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.