Jeannine Ann Kenipe

Jeannine A. (Rapp) Kenipe, 86, of Monrovia, passed peacefully from this life on Sunday, June 11, 2023, while in the care of Plainfield Health Care Center. She was born in Evansville on March 26, 1937, the only daughter, to the late William Jacob and Irene Clara (Yestingsmeier) Rapp. A proud graduate from Howe High School with the class of 1955, Jeannine was set up on a blind date with the man she would spend the rest of her life with Bob Kenipe. Mutual friends took her and her friend (referred to as the “two pretty girls”) to the hospital to visit their girlfriend. The pair spent their first date at a carnival, later vowing their unending love on June 15, 1957. A stay-at-home mother when her children were young, Jeannine supplemented the household income by babysitting. As the babes grew and needed her less, she secured employment at Target, then known as Ayr-way as a sales associate. Finding her calling in the medical field, she worked for Miller’s Merry Manor as an attentive CNA, later working as a unit secretary with St. Francis, Mooresville, deservingly retiring in 2000. Leaving the big city for a more rural and simple life, Bob and Jeannine purchased their country home in Morgan County in the fall of 1977. A loving and devoted mother of 5, the family spent their summers on Ridinger Lake in Pierceton, IN staying in rustic cabins. A tight-knit bunch, big family gatherings were a must, so the children were able to spend quality time with cousins. A hard worker, Jeannine enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening and canning, with the kids alongside snapping green beans until their fingers hurt. A master in the kitchen, her specialties were oyster stuffing for the holidays, blackberry cobbler made with fresh picked berries, and best of all her lime delight, which was served for every birthday. Diagnosed with dementia in 2011, Jeannine began to fade from her family’s life. The once vibrant and healthy strong woman slowly slipped away leaving holes in the hearts of her beloved husband, children, and grandchildren. Her memory leaves behind a solid foundation of love and light and she will be forever missed. Along with her parents, Jeannine was preceded in death by her oldest son, Steve Kenipe, brother, Robert Rapp, and grandson, Wyatt Stevens. She leaves behind her husband of almost 66 years, Robert “Bob” Kenipe of Plainfield; children, Jill Forte (Rob) of Roanoke, Greg Kenipe of Monrovia, Doug Kenipe (Chrissy) of Monrovia, and Cindy Stevens of Clayton; brothers, Larry Rapp (Patricia) of Indianapolis, and Bill Rapp (Mourlyn) of Evansville; grandchildren, Caitlin Schantz (Oliver), Nicholas Forte, and Benjamin Forte, all of Roanoke, Macy Harper (A.J.) of Heritage Lake, Dalton Kenipe (Haley) of Danville, Noah Kenipe of Monrovia, Braden Stevens of Clayton, and SeAnne Montgomery of Martinsville; and great grandchildren, Mya Jones, Olivia and Theodore Schantz, and Deslynn Farmer. Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel in Monrovia. Friends and family are invited to gather for visitation from 12:00pm until 2:00pm on Friday, June 16 with a Celebration of Life Service beginning promptly at 2:00pm. Pastor Richard Dickison will officiate, and burial will follow in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 50 E 91st St. Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46209-4830, and envelopes will be available during services. To share a favorite story, sign the online guest registry or light a candle in her memory, please visit her tribute page at www.lightmemorial.com.

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Jeannine Ann Kenipe

March 26, 1937 - June 11, 2023