Joan Marline Rapali, 81, of Salkum, Washington, left us peacefully on March 24, 2025, at Fieldstone Memory Care, surrounded by her children.
Born Oct. 25, 1943, in Bremerton, Washington, Joan grew up with her brother and parents in Wallace, Idaho. She moved to Packwood, Washington, in the summer of 1970 and made a life there with her new husband, the love of her life of 45 years, four children and three stepchildren.
She worked for Doctor Seymore as a medical assistant and radiology technician, and when Doctor Seymore retired, she continued to work for Doctor Stanley.
Joan was an active member of the Presbyterian church and loved singing in the choir. Joan was always working — when not at her job, she worked in their garden and raised chickens, waterfowl and a couple of pigs, “Gabe and Paul.”
Joan is survived by her brother, Marlin Brinkley; daughter, Tawnie Bunke; son, Lawrence “Larry” Adams; daughter, Dawn Blight; stepdaughter, Gina Deletang; stepson, Gerry Rapali; and stepdaughter, Bella Audineau, as well as 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gabriel Rapali; father, Robert Brinkley; mother, Elsie Medlar; and son, Kevin Irwin.
A service to celebrate Joan’s life will be held at her home in Salkum, Washington, on May 10, 2025. If you would like to join us, please message Tawnie Bunke on Facebook Messenger.
