Edith Rapp
May 9, 1924 ~ December 27, 2020
Edith Bieber Rapp, age 96, passed away peacefully on December 27, 2020 from COVID-19.
Edith was the beloved wife of the late Charles Fredrick Rapp and much loved mother of Karen
(John) Schultes, Vivien Shawn (Frank) Lukas, and Kim (Kevin) Schmidt.
Edith was born on May 9, 1924 in Bad-Berleburg, Germany to Hermann and Emmi Bieber. Her
family immigrated to the U.S. in 1936, settling in Brooklyn, N.Y. After graduating from New
Utrecht High School, Edith met Fred, the love of her life, and they married in 1947, after Fred
returned from serving in WWII. Edith worked as a buyer at B. Altman & Co. in New York.
In 1961, Fred and Edith moved from Brooklyn to Cranston, R.I. Edith and Fred were very active
in their three daughters’ lives, and the family enjoyed travel throughout the U.S. and Europe.
New England beaches were a favorite destination. For many years Edith sold Avon products,
and many of her customers became lifelong friends. She also worked more than a decade for the U.S. Census Bureau.
In 1988, they retired to Roanoke, Va., where they joined Windsor Hills United Methodist church,
the Roanoke Athletic Club, and were avid Virginia Tech Hokie fans. Edith enjoyed being active
in several community groups, including serving as secretary for The Athenian Society for Arts
and Sciences and volunteering at the Roanoke Science Museum and Center in the Square.
After Fred passed in 1998, Edith moved to Pheasant Ridge Independent Living and enjoyed an
active lifestyle. In 2014, she was relocated to the Falcons Landing retirement community in
Sterling, Va. to be closer to her family. She remained there until her death.
In addition to her three daughters, Edith is survived by her brother Herman Bieber, of New
Providence, N.J.; eight grandchildren, Kristin and Lauren Schultes of Michigan; Eric, Vanessa,
and Heather Lukas of Virginia; and Karl, Erika, and Stephanie Schmidt, of Maryland; plus three
nieces of New Jersey – all of whom she loved deeply.
Funeral services will be private and held at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem, Va. on Monday,
January 4, 2021. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Center in the Square at
https://centerinthesquare.org/donate.
Edith was the beloved wife of the late Charles Fredrick Rapp and much loved mother of Karen
(John) Schultes, Vivien Shawn (Frank) Lukas, and Kim (Kevin) Schmidt.
Edith was born on May 9, 1924 in Bad-Berleburg, Germany to Hermann and Emmi Bieber. Her
family immigrated to the U.S. in 1936, settling in Brooklyn, N.Y. After graduating from New
Utrecht High School, Edith met Fred, the love of her life, and they married in 1947, after Fred
returned from serving in WWII. Edith worked as a buyer at B. Altman & Co. in New York.
In 1961, Fred and Edith moved from Brooklyn to Cranston, R.I. Edith and Fred were very active
in their three daughters’ lives, and the family enjoyed travel throughout the U.S. and Europe.
New England beaches were a favorite destination. For many years Edith sold Avon products,
and many of her customers became lifelong friends. She also worked more than a decade for the U.S. Census Bureau.
In 1988, they retired to Roanoke, Va., where they joined Windsor Hills United Methodist church,
the Roanoke Athletic Club, and were avid Virginia Tech Hokie fans. Edith enjoyed being active
in several community groups, including serving as secretary for The Athenian Society for Arts
and Sciences and volunteering at the Roanoke Science Museum and Center in the Square.
After Fred passed in 1998, Edith moved to Pheasant Ridge Independent Living and enjoyed an
active lifestyle. In 2014, she was relocated to the Falcons Landing retirement community in
Sterling, Va. to be closer to her family. She remained there until her death.
In addition to her three daughters, Edith is survived by her brother Herman Bieber, of New
Providence, N.J.; eight grandchildren, Kristin and Lauren Schultes of Michigan; Eric, Vanessa,
and Heather Lukas of Virginia; and Karl, Erika, and Stephanie Schmidt, of Maryland; plus three
nieces of New Jersey – all of whom she loved deeply.
Funeral services will be private and held at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem, Va. on Monday,
January 4, 2021. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Center in the Square at
https://centerinthesquare.org/donate.
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As I grow older I cherish the interaction with the older members of our church. I can recall the 3 more senior ladies sitting behind us in church and it brings a smile to my face to remember how they interacted with our children as they grew up. Edith is a dear person who brought the love of Christ to others.