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September 17, 1930 – February 1, 2025
Mass of Christian Burial for Kathleen Ann Fleming, 94, of Rapid City and formerly of Isabel will be at 10 AM, Saturday, February 15, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Isabel. Burial will be at Hillview Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will start at 9 AM Saturday. Kathleen passed away Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City.
Kathleen Ann Fleming was born September 17, 1930, to Matthew Gappa and Mary (Hehir) Gappa. During that time, the family was living in Lambert, MT. Kathleen was born at the nearest hospital, which was in Sidney, MT. She joined an older sister in the family. Kathleen’s father was employed at the lumber yard in Lambert. After a few years, the family moved to Circle, MT when her father transferred to manage that town’s lumber yard. A third girl was born to the family when in Circle thus making Kathleen “the middle child.”
The area was severely impacted by extreme drought conditions during Kathleen’s younger years: “the dirty 30’s” as they were called. Dust and dirt were transported and deposited by the wind throughout the area. The Gappa girls helped their mom keep the house swept and cleaned because the dust was blown into the house. Kathleen remembered that during the canning season, a Fly Swatting Challenge was held amongst the Gappa girls: Bernadette (Detta,) Kathleen (Kay) and Jacqueline (Jackie.) Whoever swatted the most flies was rewarded with cash! All three girls grew up knowing how to garden and to cook.
In those days, families provided their own entertainment. The Gappa family enjoyed spending time with other families and frequently played card games. Kathleen’s favorite card game was Bridge. She appreciated the strategy involved and she cherished spending leisure time with her family and friends. As an adult, playing Bridge continued to be very important to her. She taught others how to play the game as well.
Kathleen worked with her father at the Circle lumber yard during her high school years. She claimed that working in the lumber yard taught her how to “talk tough.” Kathleen graduated high school at an early age of 17. She attended college and was drawn to teaching. Her first teaching job was in Lambert, MT. In this rural setting Kathleen had several grades under her tutelage. She soon came to realize that teaching was her calling and went on to enjoy a long career in education. She also taught at Nellis Air Force Base and at a country school near Baker.
The Gappa family moved to Baker, MT in the early 1950s. Her father managed the lumber yard in Baker for a time. When he fell ill, it required that Kathleen move to Baker for a short time to help care for him. It was in Baker where she met the love of her life. Kathleen married Richard (Dick) Fleming on August 18, 1956, in Baker. Dick and Kathleen moved to Isabel, SD, where Dick managed a grain elevator and Kathleen taught school. Their darling daughter Sheila was born in 1962. Sheila was raised in Isabel. During the time that Sheila was growing up, Kathleen attended Northern State Teachers’ College and earned her teaching certification.
Kathleen was generous with her time and exchanged childcare responsibilities with her sister Detta when one or the other took vacations, especially to the west coast to visit the Overstreets. There are many stories of Aunt Kay cooking items differently than the nieces and nephews anticipated. And there are many stories of Sheila joining with the cousins to go swimming, to get ice cream, or to picnic at Medicine Rocks south of Baker. It was a merry crew with many lasting memories.
Kathleen always had a desire to stay in touch with family and friends. She enjoyed chatting with them and hearing about the adventures, sports contests, successes, and challenges of the dear people in her life. As her vision became a challenge, she found technological solutions to enable her to remain in contact with many people.
In 1982, Dick and Kathleen moved to Spearfish, SD. She worked in Deadwood for a number of years. Dick passed away in 1996. In the year 2000, Kathleen moved to Rapid City, SD, and she resided there until her death on February 1, 2025. Consistent with her life, she was surrounded by family during her last days.
Kathleen is preceded in death by her husband Richard Fleming, her parents Matt and Mary (Hehir) Gappa, her two sisters and their husbands Bernadette (Howard) Breitbach and Jacqueline (Max) Overstreet, and an infant granddaughter. She is survived by her daughter Sheila (Dan) Cook of Rapid City, SD, granddaughter JoBeth (Joseph) Greynolds, great-granddaughters Emma and Hannah, and numerous nieces and nephews, their spouses, and their offspring.
While we mourn the passing of Kathleen, the last of the Gappa girls, we also believe that she has joined with a joyous throng and that one day we will greet her again.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Kathleen Ann Fleming, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
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