Pamela Rapp Grasis left us Saturday, September 3rd, 2022 after a three-year battle with Mesothelioma. A proud Kansas Citian, Pam was born to Albert and Lois Rapp and lived most of her life North of the river. She attended Oak Park High School and Ottawa University where she earned her English Literature & Education degrees. She taught English, Drama and Debate at Park Hill High School before devoting her time to raising her family and supporting her husband Augie in their business endeavors. In her almost forty years as a Weatherby Lake resident, she leaves behind many, many friends and a lasting legacy.
Pami was a radiant force with a beautiful spirit, loved by all. Her impact was undeniable, her faith unwavering, and her incredible life well-lived. She moved mountains for her family, for whom being Mom and Mimi was her life’s proudest achievement and greatest joy. They will miss her most, including:
Husband – Augie Grasis
Son – Ryan Sutton and his family, Meg, Taumr, and Burke
Daughter – Lindsay Hatcher and her family, Travis, Andra, and Ellija
Daughter – Augi Helling and her husband Matt
Brother – Dan Rapp and his wife Brenda
Pami was a lifelong teacher who loved literature. She was founder and host of the Weatherby Lake Book Club for many years. Though she claimed she couldn’t swim, she loved the water, whether floating in the lake with her friends or flying the spinnaker on Puff Daddy with her family sailing team on Sundays. She taught elementary school kids about business in her Junior Achievement classes and worked hard on perfecting her grandchildren’s grammar.
Pami entertained frequently with un-matched style and will forever be admired as life’s most gracious hostess. Her last months were enjoyed at full-tilt with visitors from all over the globe and celebrations with her Weatherby Lake neighbors and her family. Then, after a week of rest, she quietly left us to join God while surrounded by her family’s love.
You made all of our lives better. We danced with you, laughed with you, and found great inspiration in your passion for life. You are forever inimitable. We will miss you, and see you tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day until we’re together again soon.
A memorial service will be held for Pami Monday September 12 at 2:00pm
Tiffany Fellowship Church
7315 NW Barry Rd
Kansas City, MO 64153
The Service will be followed by a Celebration of Life where friends and family are invited to share Pami stories and memories. The celebration will be held 4:00-7:00pm at:
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
4420 Warwick Blvd,
Kansas City, MO 64111
To honor Pami’s colorful spirit and her love for summertime, the family requests attendees refrain from wearing black at the memorial services.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to one of these organizations:
Traditions Hospice, 220 NW R.D. Mize Road, Blue Springs MO 64014, the wonderful health professionals who cared for Pami in her final days,
Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City, donate on line in Pami’s honor at this link. https://greaterkansascity.ja.org/donate/index
So sorry to know of the loss of you vibrant, fun loving wife, mother, and grandmother. May she rest in peace.
Angie,
Sorry to learn of your loss.
Take Care,
Mike & Beth Taranto
Augie,
We are so sorry to hear of Pam’s passing. What a great person. The lake has lost one of it’s best examples of “Lake Living”.
Rest in peace my friend. You will be missed.
Barb and Gary McMullin
Augie, I’m so sorry friend. She was a bright light. Praying for you and that God will shower many more blessings on you and the family.
Steve Van Diest
Dear Grasis Family – Our hearts are heavy for the loss of your beloved Pami. May God comfort you with a flood of wonderful memories of laughter, love, and your shared faith in Christ.
Augie, my heart is with you and your family during this difficult time. Pami will be dearly missed. Thinking of you and may God give you an abundance of strength and comfort.
-Elizabeth Shandy
Angie,
Please know my heart is broken for your loss! Pami was such a kind, fun, very intelligent person that was so full of life and love! I feel blessed to have known and adored her!
I am keeping your family in my heart and prayers!
Mary Duffy
Pami was a beautiful, wonderful neighbor of nearly 40 years. Her joy and laughter radiated from their dock and always cheered our neighborhood. We were so blessed have Pami next door. Augie, we wish you and your family comfort.
Pami truly never met a stranger and I don’t know of another person who enjoyed life more than she did.
It is so very hard to imagine the Lake without her bright light.
A beautifully written obituary for such a kind, generous, strong woman. I remember her smile and laugh and energy when we were students at Oak Park. My sincere condolences to her loving family.
Augie, Ryan, and family,
We feel very fortunate to have known Pami. She was everything that has been said about her and much more.
Life will never be the same for those of you who were fortunate enough to be close to Pami.
Even so, I think Pami would want everyone to be happy and live every day as if it were your last.
Wishing you all peace and a knowing that Pami was loved by everyone who’s lives she touched.
I am so sorry for your immense loss, I loved Pami’s spirit and energy so much. She always made me feel right at home and celebrated. I love you Grasis family ❤️
We will miss her but we won’t forget her. Our leathern prayers are with the family.
Dear Augie and family. I am saddened to hear of Pami’s passing. Her radiant smile and warm hug was always a delight. I pray you can find comfort in the memories as you grieve. I will be out of town on Monday. Prayers for all.
Tom Strongman
No words could ever prepare you…
For so much pain….
In so much love.
“Hoist the chute!
Back on the pole.
Grab that sheet and trim that sail! Ahhhhhh…… nothing like it!”
(the pole could be a little higher!)
Peace, Love and and maybe a healing fresh breeze be with all of you.
Jim Kennedy
So sad to hear about Pam. I always enjoyed being around you two. She was so much fun and she was so pretty. I remember seeing you along the beach in Carmel at the Concourse probably 10 years ago and how fun it was to see and talk with you. Again, I’m so sorry for you, Augi, and for your beautiful family.
Dear Augie & family,
Mark & I are broken- hearted that Pam has left our earthly presence. However, we all know she is joyously celebrating in Heaven! She was such fun to be around, made each person feel special. Her bright smile & hugs will be missed. We are sad we won’t be in town to attend services, but we will celebrate with you all in spirit.
Love you …. Mark & Lori Johnson
What an amazing spirit and will be so missed and forever loved. Augie and family, you are in our prayers. Pami, God speed and thank you for touching so many lives.
God graced us with Pami.
We always knew she was a priceless gift.
Immeasureable is our loss and heaven’s gain.
Have never been so drawn to heaven as now that she is there.
Augie
Sorry for your loss. Pam is a special friend and will be missed by many.
My best regards to you and your family.
Our deepest condolences to your family. Pami will forever remain in our hearts and memories. She will be deeply missed.
Natasha and Larry Ricci
Audie,
I’m crushed hearing you lost your loving bride. Our world always smiled when you were together . My prayers are heartfelt.
Perry and I send all of you our heartfelt condolences at this sad time.
Love ,
Liz
Augie
So sorry for your loss. For Some reason you and Pam were on my mind last week. See you soon.
Jim & Deb
Dear Augie, Ryan, Meg, Lindsay, Travis, Augi, Matt and Pami’s grandchildren,
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve the loss of Pami. She was such an amazing lady, who always had a smile on her face. Her laugh was contagious and her hugs were so comforting. I pray to God that he’s open the doors to Heaven and welcomed her with a huge hug. Please give yourself grace as you grieve and remember that everyone grieves differently. Do what you need to do for yourself and know you are surrounded by hundreds of friends who will do anything for you. RIP Pami
Angie
Our deepest sympathies to you and your family. Your lovely and touching obituary describes Pam perfectly.
We will keep you in our prayers.
Debi Urbaniak
Our love to your family! May the happy memories offer you reprieve as you navigate grief. ❤️ The Wolfs
Augie,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Pami. Pami was a bright star that shined in life. Pami was such a beautiful person. She will be greatly missed by all.
Joyce Stoway
Beautifully written obituary! Pam was such a sweet lady! I liked her so much!
My deepest condolences to each of you.
So Sorry to hear. She has been on my mind lately. Pam was probably the most positive person I have ever known. Never a negative thought. She will be greatly missed.
Pami always made me feel like I was her best friend…but, then…she did that for everyone she met!! What a beautiful example of life. We are all blessed to have known such a wonderful amazing person. God Bless.
Augie,
We were greatly saddened to hear of Pam’s passing. She was a fine lady who will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family during your time of loss. God bless you all.
John & Jo Anne
Dear Augie, Ryan and family. What an inspirational, kind, loving human being , wife, mother, grandmother you lost….we all did We just finished our ladies’ book group honoring Pami. All I could think of was how I hope I leave such a legacy. She was loved by many. Such a special person. Sending you all lots of love as you move through this huge transition.
Dear Augie and Family,
What a beautiful tribute our Amazing Pami! She has been such a wonderful friend, mentor and enthusiastic spirit in our lives..for decades! We are so grateful to have been able to share so many wonderful memories with her, you and the family! The gift of time with her these past few years has been truly a blessing to us. We celebrate her life and always remember the light and love she put forward and left in us all!
We love you Grasis Family!
Augie, we are so sorry to hear of your loss. Pami was a wonderful person and we are glad that we got to know her. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and the entire Grasis family.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Pami. What a gracious, vibrant upbeat person she was. Once you had met Pami you would never forget her and she would not forget you. She would stop occasionally to see us and bring flowers or sandwiches at lunch time to see how we were and give a big hug. Truly she will be missed by all.
The Beautiful Vail Wedding adventure, “Happy Rock” adventures, Weatherby Lake adventures and the Lake Springfield Janis. (I’m positive my dad has already sought her out for a dance!) We are so deeply saddened by the news but are so grateful to have such fun and wonderful memories of that gracious, fun loving spirit Pami!
My dear, dear friend Augie – our hearts go out to you and your family and may all those great memories of Pami help you all through this very difficult time.
Prozit Pami! To a life well lived!
Auger and family I’m sorry for your loss.
Such a bright light! Her spirit will be missed, but certainly live on amongst us! Prayers and sympathy my friend!
Our condolences to you and your family, Augie.
Pami ‘s affection and support was deeply appreciated. What a lovely lady!
Dear family,
No words can express this loss of a dear one, but our hearts are with you.
Oceans of love,
Kim & Tom James
Augie and family,
So sorry for your loss. She leaves a spectacular legacy here at the lake and I will miss seeing her by your side,
Augie and Family,
Such fond memories I have off all our path crossings on water or land, various locations and situations! Pami will always have a special place in my heart.
My sincere condolences to you all.
Pam Parks
Augie and family., May God’s blessings surround you and bring you comfort and peace . Pam had such a cheerful loving spirit that will live on in those she touched in this life. We are sorry for your loss. Please know we are here if you need anything.
Augi and Family, Big Kim and I can not express how sorry we are for you losing Pami. She was this huge light in life. She was always sweet to us. Her smile and laugh I’ll miss. We have happy memories of her serving champagne while sailing Big Kim to our wedding.
God Bless all of you .
Kim and Kim Shaffstall
Augie and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Pami was beautiful both inside and out. She was such a bright light and will live on in all of our memories. May peace be with you.
Augie , Ryan and family,
I’m so sorry for your tremendous loss. Pami was a bright light in the world, always so gracious and kind to us and our family. May all your happy memories be a blessing to you.
Augie and Family,
Thinking of you as you celebrate Pam’s beautiful life .
Our family will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Angie and Family, my heartfelt condolences to you all for the loss of Pami.
My condolences to your family for your loss of our dearest Pami. Her spirit lives on with you and your family and so many friends. We were friends for 57 years—and I will miss her and her unwavering friendship. 💔💕
Augie,
I’m so sorry to hear of you and your families loss.
It’s been so long since I met Pami but I remember her well.
Augie,
I am so very sorry for your family’s loss of Pami. She was always brought so much fun and energy to a room.
My condolences are with Pam’s family. Pam and I were in Drama classes together she was a beautiful person and very talented. RIP my friend!