Natalie M. Lape

Natalie Margaret Lape (Specht) was born on January 10th, 1924 at home in Pierce Township, Ohio. She was the middle daughter of Arthur and Nellie Specht. Her parents and two sisters, Betty and Marcia preceded her in death.

She attended a one room school house for elementary school. She graduated from New Richmond High School where she was active in sports and lettered in basketball.

After high school, she took a job with the telephone company in Cincinnati.

In June of 1944 she joined the United States Coast Guard and was stationed in New York City as a teletype operator. She served in the United States Coast Guard until April of 1946. After the war, she attended modeling school. She was an excellent seamstress, creating most of the clothes she modeled and wore day to day. She returned to the telephone company in Cincinnati and worked there seventeen years.

Natalie was married to William H. Rademacher; they were blessed with one son, William A. Rademacher. William H. Rademacher died in 1964.

She later married Fred Lape and they were married 38 years until his death in 1996.

In her last years, she traveled to New York city with her son and niece to celebrate her 100th birthday at Tavern on the Green in Central Park. While at Signature Healthcare, she was invited as the guest of honor for breakfast with the National Commander of the American Legion. She was the only WWII veteran at Signature.

Ms. Natalie was an entertainer! In her last years, she would come up with quirky, funny sayings that were shared on Facebook. There was laughter and smiles from all those who read these posts.

Natalie is survived by one son, William Rademacher (Tammy), two grandsons, Benjamin Rademacher and Nicholas Rademacher, and several nieces and nephews.

Natalie will be remembered at Brown Funeral Home in Elizabethtown. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 17, 2025 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Funeral will be at 3:00pm. Burial will take place at a later date to be determined at St John’s cemetery, Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky.