Herman Ward Raap

Herman Ward Raap passed away on the morning of May 3 in the comfort of his home. He was 81 years old. 

Ward was born Nov. 27, 1944, at home in Ellensburg, the second child of Gus and Marge Raap. He attended the Denmark School, Kittitas Elementary School, Ellensburg Junior High and Ellensburg High School, graduating in 1963. Ward had military training at Fort Ord, Calif., and served six years in the Army reserves as a cook; he was an accurate shot with a rifle. He married his high school sweetheart Barbara (Bender) Raap on Jan. 16, 1965. Ward was raised on a farm in Kittitas County and farmed most of his life in Grant County. Ward farmed on the Royal Slope with his dad and then on the Frenchman Hills, and finally purchased land near the Columbia Gorge in 1983 and farmed with his second son Randy until his retirement in 2019. Besides spending time tinkering in his shop, Ward loved to dance; he and Barbara spent many years dancing at the George Community Hall and other venues throughout their 61-year marriage. Ward enjoyed retirement and relaxing in his backyard watching wildlife. 

Ward is survived by his wife, Barbara (Bender) Raap; oldest son Steven (Larysa) Raap, daughter Carla Louise (Joe Peck) Christian and youngest son Michael (Lucinda) Raap; four granddaughters: Kimberly, Bryanna, Makayla and Autymn Raap; one great-grandson Ryan; four brothers: Louis (Wanda) Raap, Don Raap, Larry (Melanie) Raap and Kenny (Robin) Raap; two sisters-in-law: Carol (Bender) West and Debi (Bender) Humphrey and a brother-in-law, James Russell (Laurie) Bender; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, second son Randy, brothers-in-law Richard Stilwell and Paul West and sister-in-law Dixie (Bender) Stilwell. 

Thanks to the hospice team. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. 

Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.