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.
Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Memorial Chapel, East Wenatchee & Cashmere.
