Nora Louise Rappe'

1932-2025 Nora Louise Rappe' (Philmon-Light) was 92-years young when she passed away on May 3rd, 2025, joining her late husband Elmer, whom she shared her life with on the beautiful Chiliwist. On the day of her passing, the lupine and arrow leaf balsam root were in full bloom and the spring sun lit up the beautiful area she called home. Nora’s life began in Narcisse Creek, just east of the town of Colville, WA. She was born on June 18th, 1932, and was the seventh of eleven children born to X William, Sr. and Margaret Light. Nora often shared wonderful memories of growing up around Colville on an eighty-acre ranch in the Highland District, surrounded by fruit trees, a full garden, horses, cows, pigs, chickens, dogs, and cats. The family eventually moved into town, and she graduated from Colville High School in 1950. Nora went on to complete beauty school in Seattle and returned to Colville for her first job at the “Haven of Charm” Beauty Salon. Nora met her first husband, Larry Philmon, in Colville- they were married in 1952. They moved to Spokane and later to the Okanogan Valley in 1960 where they raised their family of four children and remained married until 1980. In 1982, Nora married Elmer Rappe. Nora and Elmer built their log home in the Chiliwist and remained together until Elmer’s passing in 2015. Their ranch was appropriately named “Mules Plus” for the variety of animals they so enjoyed, including mules, horses, cats, dogs, chickens, and burros (not to mention the assortment of visiting children of all ages…). Aside from raising children and managing the household of animals, she successfully operated “Nora’s Beauty Shop” from her home in Okanogan until 1989. She then obtained her real estate and broker’s license and operated “Leading Edge Realty in Omak. Nora continued to live in the home she and Elmer built together until her last day, and stayed equally busy throughout her later years. She hosted game nights, enjoyed traveling, biked to visit friends, weeded flower beds and strawberry patches, cared for the wildlife, birds, and deeply loved her cat Velcro. Nora was an energetic, enterprising, independent, adventurous, and strong woman. She enjoyed snow skiing, snowmobiling, camping, horseback riding, and most outdoor activities. Although not an avid hunter, she did pull a special permit and bagged a record mountain goat in the Methow area. Her hobbies were many, but to name just a few, she enjoyed quilting, sewing, reading, and playing dominoes (you just had to keep an eye on the game as she had a propensity to come up with new rules…). She was a Master Gardener, a member of the Backcountry Horsemen, and dedicated time as a volunteer with the Okanogan County Historical Society. Nora is survived by her children Dianna Michaels, Dennis (Joan) Philmon, Sharon Holland, and Leslie (Michelle) Philmon: her step-children, Thomas Rappe’, Steven (Kathryn) Rappe’, James Rappe’, and Karen (Jim) Miller; and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Nora is survived by her sisters Nada, Corinne, and Claudia; and preceded in death by both parents; sisters Margaret, Lorraine, Mildred, and Shirley; and brothers X William, Jr., Richard, and Noel. The family extends a special heartfelt thank you to all of her friends, far and near, as well as special gratitude to her Chiliwist neighbors whom she so dearly enjoyed and appreciated. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in her name to a local charitable organization you feel best fits Nora. A Celebration of Life Potluck will be held in honor of Nora on Sunday, June 8, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at the Old Malott Grange Hall. The Old Grange Hall is located on B and O Road, just north of School Avenue in Malott, WA.

Nora Louise Rappe'

June 18, 1932 - May 3, 2025