Doris Raap

BRISTOL- Doris Raap of Aberdeen and formally of Bristol died on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Her funeral will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, April 26, 2008 at the United Methodist Church in Bristol Rev. Tom Haggar officiating with burial in the Bristol Cemetery. Visitation will be at the United Methodist Church in Bristol on Friday 5-8 P.M. with a 7 P.M. prayer service. Fiksdal Funeral Service of Webster is in charge of the arrangements. Doris Mae Pierson was born on Friday, October 24, 1924 to George W. and Mabel (Watkins) Pierson on the family farm at Claremont, South Dakota. She was baptized and confirmed at the First Methodist Church. She attended school in Claremont and graduated from high school in 1942. She earned her teaching certificate from Northern Normal in Aberdeen, South Dakota and taught in Butler and Roslyn schools. On November 22, 1944 she married Henry Raap at Cheyenne, Wyoming. After their marriage the couple made their home and farmed in the Bristol and Pierpont areas. In 1972 they moved to Bristol. At the age of 50 she went back to Northern State College in Aberdeen and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. From 1975 to 1987 she taught Title I in the Bristol School District. After retirement, she enjoyed substitute teaching and selling tickets at the Bristol basketball home games. She moved to Primrose Place in Aberdeen in 2005. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Bristol where she was pianist/organist and church board secretary for many years. She also belonged to the United Methodist Women. She was a member of Eastern Star, Bridge Club and Northern Alumni Association. She enjoyed playing golf, playing piano, walking, avid bridge player, baking, yardwork and feeding her finches. She also loved putting on the coffee for friends and family. Doris passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at Sioux Falls, South Dakota following a short illness. Survivors include five sons, Ed Raap of Pahrump, NV, Gene (Doretta) Raap of Pierpont, SD, Alan (Evelyn) Raap of Sioux Falls, SD, Arden (Steph) Raap of Aberdeen, SD and Verl Raap of Plymouth, MN; three daughters, Judy (Roy) Falness of St. Louis Park, MN, Marian Kolkman of Watertown, SD and Joy (Rodney) Schweitzer of Redfield, SD; two sisters, Donna Oster of Steele, ND and Maxine Rowland of Hopkins, MN; nineteen grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Wesley and two sisters, Ruby and Gloria.