Lori Ellen Rappé

Lori E. Rapp Lori E. Rapp, age 54, of Monona, Wisconsin died at the Hospice Care Center in Fitchburg on February 16, 2010 of brain cancer. Lori was born on February 2, 1956 in Hillsboro, Illinois, the only daughter of the late Patrick A. Rapp and Mildred (Johnson) Rapp. When she was in grade school her family moved to Brookfield, Wisconsin where she graduated high school. Lori received a Bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin- Madison in 1978, and, except for a few years in Chicago and in Spring Green, lived in Madison and Monona until her death. She married Steven Brezinski on April 2, 1994. Lori loved movies and music, gardening, animals, riding her horse Chance, and spending time in northern Wisconsin and the Caribbean. She was a friend and mentor to many, a rescuer of lost animals, a pianist, vocalist and member of the Madison Symphony Chorus and, though she didn't talk about it often, a firm believer that one person could make the world a better place. Lori worked at the University of Wisconsin Foundation for over twenty years and was especially proud of her work in the building campaign for the construction of the new Pharmacy building which opened in September of 2001, her work in women's philanthropy and her work on behalf of the Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. She was a volunteer and board member of many nonprofit organizations, especially organizations related to animals. She is survived by her husband, Steven Brezinski of Monona, her mother Mildred Rapp of Warrenton, Illinois, three brothers, Rick Rapp (Gail) of Hudson, Wisconsin, David Rapp (Marie) of Hartford, Wisconsin, and Tim Rapp (Andrea) of Warrenton, Illinois, eight nieces and nephews, many friends and her pets including her loyal Potcake Sassie. She was preceded in death by her father Patrick A. Rapp in 1998. Visitation will be held at Gunderson East Funeral Home, 5203 Monona Drive, Monona on Tuesday, February 23, 2010, from 4 to 7 pm with a memorial service to be held the following day, Wednesday February 24 at 11 a.m. at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3300 Atwood Avenue, Madison. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Lori's memory may be made to University of Wisconsin Foundation - Lori Rapp Women's Philanthropy Council Great People Scholarship, US Bank Lockbox, P.O. Box 78807, Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807. The kindness shown her and her family by the staff at HospiceCare and U.W. Hospital was much appreciated and will not be forgotten. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, gifts in Lori's memory may be made to University of Wisconsin Foundation - Lori Rapp Women's Philanthropy Council Great People Scholarship, US Bank Lockbox, P.O. Box 78807, Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807. Visitation: Visitation will be held at Gunderson East Funeral Home, 5203 Monona Drive, Monona on Tuesday, February 23, 2010, from 4 to 7 pm with a memorial service to be held the following day, Wednesday February 24 at 11 a.m. at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3300 Atwood Avenue, Madison. Service: Visitation will be held at Gunderson East Funeral Home, 5203 Monona Drive, Monona on Tuesday, February 23, 2010, from 4 to 7 pm with a memorial service to be held the following day, Wednesday February 24 at 11 a.m. at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3300 Atwood Avenue, Madison.