Norma Jeanne Mrus-Rappach

Norma Jeanne Mrus Rappach, 84, entered peacefully into eternal rest on Friday morning December 23, 2022 peacefully with her family by her side under the comforting care of hospice.  She was born March 7, 1938 in Hastings, Pennsylvania the daughter of the late James Eugene and Kathryn Luelle Lear Fairbanks and came to Ohio in 1941.

Norma was a 1956 graduate of Howland High School where she was a cheerleader and member of the National Honor Society.  She furthered her education by attending Trumbull Memorial Hospital School of Nursing with a Diploma as a Registered Nurse in 1959.  Norma would have a successful career in nursing and education that spanned for more than over 35 years.  She worked for as a Pediatric Nurse at Trumbull Memorial Hospital, as well as being a part time nurse for Dr. Frank Vargo, MD, Dr. L. A. Swinehart, Meadows Manor Nursing Home in Indiana, Gillette Nursing Home, was a part time EMT for the McKinley Heights Fire Department and was a part time Industrial Nurse for Packard Electric.

In 1973, Norma entered the education field as a school nurse and instructor.  She was and EMT Instructor for the Ohio Department of Education Trade and Industrial Emergency Medical Technician; she worked as school nurse for the Lordstown Local Schools K-12 and Vocational School and retired as a teacher in the Diversified Health Occupations class.  Norma was very active in her occupation and within the community.  She was past advisor of the Vocational Education Clubs of America, past coordinator of the American Red Cross Blood Drives at Lordstown Schools.  She served on the Lordstown Local Schools Safety and Technology Committees; was coordinator for the Lordstown Local Schools HIV/AIDS Committee; served on the Trumbull County Board of Education Communicable Disease Task Force and Gordon D. James Career Center Advisory Board for Diversified Health Occupations Program.  Norma was an honorary member of the Howland Fire Department being the first female EMT/Paramedic to ride ambulance in Trumbull County.

She was honored to have continuous participation since 1976 in the Harvard Medical School of Boston and Brigham Women’s Hospital Nurses’ Health Study for furthering the Knowledge of Women’s Health Issues.  She had participated in numerous two partner Diabetic Management research studies for Kent State University, Department of Psychology in regards to Spousal influence with diabetes in support of her husband Ron’s on going battle with diabetes.  She was past member of the Trumbull County and Ohio Retired Teachers Association as well as the Ohio Vocational Association and the American Federation of Teachers.

Norma was of the Catholic faith.  She had a very strong faith, having been a convert since 1959.  She was a lifelong member of Blessed Sacrament Church, where she established the first nursery; was past religious education teacher; was Parish Nurse from 1992 to 1994.  She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother.  Norma lived her life as a nurse and teacher; she truly loved playing her organ which she taught herself after retirement.  Most of all, Norma enjoyed spending time with her husband, family, her church, traveling, being on the computer, reading, being with friends and enjoyed collector her angels.

Norma will be so missed by her husband, Ronald M. Rappach, whom she married on August 9, 1979; her mother-in-law Ruth Graves of Champion; sons Timothy J. (Peggy) Mrus of Mayo, FL; Joseph M. (Kecia) Mrus, MD of Cary, NC; step children Lynn (Joseph) Rappach Paris of Toney, Al; nine grandchildren Joseph, Lindsey, Kaitlyn, Megan, Brittany, Kristin, Mitchell (Delaine), Maxwell, and Maya; and numerous great grandchildren.  She is also survived by a sister Eleanor Fairbanks of Howland; a brother David (Jolene) Fairbanks of Liberty; and by numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Besides her parents, Norma was preceded in death by a daughter Susan “Susie” Mrus Dolgae; step-daughter Kelly Bright; infant sister Mary Fairbanks; sister Mary Kay Schaffer; brothers Atty Edward Fairbanks, Robert Fairbanks DDS; Charles Fairbanks, and Richard Glen Fairbanks.

Family will receive friends from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday January 14, 2023 in the gathering space at Blessed Sacrament Church, 3020 Reeves Road, Warren, Ohio 44483.  A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday in the church with Fr. Christopher Cicero officiating.  Burial will follow in Crown Hill Burial Park in Vienna.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions take the form of donations in Norma’s name to Hope Cancer Center, Howland Fire Department or First Light Home Care.  The family thanks the Hope Cancer Center, especially Dr. Lori Hemrock, First Light Home Care, Hospice of MVI and Traditions Home Healthcare.

The family kindly askes to please not send sympathy flowers.

Arrangements by the Holeton-Yuhasz Funeral Home 126 West Park Avenue, Niles, Ohio 44446.  Family may view this tribute and share condolences by visiting www.holetonyuhasz.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Norma Jeanne Mrus-Rappach, please visit our floral store.