Emilie Rapp

New Iberia - A celebration of life will be held at 3:00 PM Friday, September 17, 2010 at Pellerin Funeral Home in New Iberia for Emilie Rapp, loving wife of Felix Rapp, who died peacefully at her residence on September 15, 2010. Born Emilie Lampman in rural Vermilion Parish, she attended Erath High School and married Douglas de la Houssaye, with whom she owned and operated Gus and Dougs Cleaners in New Iberia for over 30 years. She was a lifelong learner, with a passion for living life to the fullest and spread her enthusiasm for living with both young and old through volunteerism, serving as an adult leader of youth with the Girl Scouts, Campfire Girls, and Woodmen of the World Lodge 1147, New Iberia. In 1998 she married Felix Rapp, and together they traveled the world, spending winters in Puerto Vallarta, MX, and tirelessly volunteering as disaster relief volunteers with the American Red Cross and as Court Appointed Surrogate Advocates for CASA. An avid organic gardener, she also enjoyed sewing and dancing of all kinds, and with her husband served as president of the Hoedowners Square Dance Club in New Iberia and members of the Seesaws, Lafayette. Also an accomplished artist, she was past member of the Bayou Art Guild, New Iberia and recently the Lafayette Art Association. She leaves behind her beloved husband and constant companion Felix Rapp, a son, Marcus de la Houssaye, Lafayette, her joys in her life, granddaughters Autumn dela Houssaye, Lafayette, and Christina Brown, Baton Rouge, four sisters, Marie Louise Lampman, Lafayette, Mrs. Al Johnson (Ruth), Lafayette, Mrs. William Riggins (Rita), Memphis, Mrs. Carl de la Houssaye (Judy), New Iberia, one brother Martin Van Lampman III and wife Caroline, Jasper, AL, and stepdaughter Mrs. James Adamson (Tina) and step-grandchildren Michael and Tommy Adamson and Elizabeth Rapp. She is preceded in death by her first husband Douglas de la Houssaye, mother Mary Bourque Lampman Comeaux, father Martin Van Lampman II and stepson Steven Rapp. Her ashes will forever remain on the land she loved, on which she was raised. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross or CASA. A gathering of family and friends will be Friday from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM at Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd, in New Iberia. Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd, New Iberia, LA 70560, 337.365.3331, is in charge of the arrangements.