Carol Susan Lape, 50, died Monday, Dec. 10 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
She was born in Akron, Ohio, the daughter of Twila Longanecker-Brewer and Charles R. Brewer.
She attended Sunnyvale High School and later received an education in Medical Technology at DeAnza Community College where she worked for Kaiser Permanente in their outpatient Psychiatric Department. She also received an education in Massage Therapy and after many years in being a mother of three, received her certificate in Paralegal Law Services.
During her youth, she developed a passion for animals, especially with dogs and horses, because her father raised Dachshunds and provided horse riding lessons for her. As a young adult, she showed her beloved Russian Blue cat, which later inspired her to participate in showing Siberian Huskies in dog shows throughout Northern California. She received top awards for her breeding, showmanship, and handling, which allowed her eye for excellence to be carried over into rabbit and cattle showing with her children. She also had an absolute love for horses and being able to ride them – which she said was “an experience that is unlike any other.”
In 1991, she married her best friend, Kevin Lape, and they started a family together. They moved to Oakdale in 2000, where she, as a devoted wife, mother and friend, took great care in raising her sons, as well as the animals on their small ranch.
Mrs. Lape was a long-standing member of Valley Home 4-H, holding a strong passion in teaching her children showmanship, love, and responsibility to their home of many dogs, rabbits, cows and horses. She was also a strong advocate in the care and recovery of animals involving the Oakdale Equine Rescue and all other small animal rescues.
She had the ability of staying true to her family and faith, never swaying outside of it, grounded to her convictions. Alongside this, she was an incredible friend, possessing a warm heart, as some of her friends said she glowed.
She is survived by her husband, Kevin; children, Christopher, Austin and Steven; father, Charles R. Brewer; sister, Lynette Elizabeth Brewer; stepmother, Linda Brewer; in-laws, Robert and Dolores Lape and William (Ruth) Lape, Jeffrey (Sharon) Lape, Janice Lape; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Twila Longanecker-Brewer.
A viewing was held Dec. 17 and services were held Dec. 18 at the Oakdale Memorial Chapel. Interment was at Valley Home Cemetery, followed by a celebration of life at the Living Hope Church, Oakdale.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Oakdale Equine Rescue, Oakdale Animal Shelter Rescue, or Alexander Cohen Hospice House.