Oswald "Ozzie" Rapp completed his earthly journey and joined his Lord and Savior on Sunday, May 31, 2026, surrounded by family and friends.

Ozzie was born on June 1, 1940, in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, to Oswald and Minnette (Hochmuth) Rapp. He graduated from Arrowhead High School in Waukesha and attended both Lakeland College and Carroll College before earning an associate degree from the Layton School of Art in Milwaukee.

On July 30, 1962, Ozzie married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Kelling. He began his professional career at Collins Studio in Milwaukee before joining the United States Army. While serving at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, he participated in the Army's photo lab training program. He was later assigned to the White House Communications Agency during the administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson, where he served as a White House photographer. Following his time at the White House, Ozzie spent four months working in the Pentagon's film processing laboratory before relocating to Kansas City, where he helped establish Custom Color Laboratory from the ground up.

In 1970, Ozzie accepted the position of Lab Manager at F.J. Pechman in Kaukauna, bringing his family back to Wisconsin. After ten years there, he founded Phopar, Inc. in Appleton, one of the area's first one-hour photo processing labs. Through Phopar he provided professional photo finishing and digital services to both retail and commercial customers until the business closed in 2008.

Retirement did not slow Ozzie down. He was always willing to help others with computers, photographs, and countless small projects. Creative by nature, he enjoyed solving problems and sharing his talents with family, friends, and neighbors. He treasured baking with his grandchildren, summer vacations in Waupaca, fishing trips to Canada, church small groups, and family celebrations.

After moving to Linwood Apartments in 2018, Ozzie became an integral part of the community, helping organize social events and serving on boards. He also enjoyed sharing his White House slides with church and community groups and always had memorable stories to tell about that remarkable chapter of his life.

Ozzie was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Kathleen; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Marvin and Elsie Kelling; his brothers-in-law, John Kelling and David Stanton; and his special friend, Jacquelyn Lindmair.

He is survived by his sister, Lynn Stanton of Juneau; his children, Colleen (Tony) Mauthe of Appleton, Cynthia (Grant) Hitchens of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, Christine (Donald) Gruendemann of Kewaskum, and John (Debbie) Rapp of Green Bay; and his grandchildren, Lila, Samuel, and Gabriel Mauthe; Nathan and Grace Hitchens; Spencer (Faith) Gruendemann; Stella Gruendemann; Olivia (Matt) Shuttleworth; and Meagan (Austin) Selle. He is also survived by his great-grandson, Emmett Selle; his nephews, John (Marty) Stanton, Rodney (Peggy) Stanton, and Kevin (Nikki) Stanton; many great-nieces and great-nephews; numerous close friends; and his beloved cat, Tiger.

Ozzie's legacy of creativity, service, faith, and love for family will be cherished by all who knew him.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Hospice and the staff at Cherry Meadows for the compassionate care they provided to Ozzie and for the comfort and support they gave our family.

A memorial service will be held for Ozzie on Monday, June 15th at PATHWAYS CHURCH (311 W. Evergreen Drive, Appleton). Visitation will be held from 9:00 am – 10:45 am with the service beginning at 11:00 am. Pastor Ben Korinek will officiate.

An informal lunch will be served immediately following the ceremony at Holiday’s Pub & Grill (3950 N. Richmond Street, Appleton).

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Linwood Community, a ministry of Fox Valley Lutheran Homes.