Helen Rausch

Helen M. Rausch, 81, of Melrose died Sunday, Oct. 26, 2003 at the Melrose Area Hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial was 11:30 am Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Melrose with Rev. Vincent Lieser officiating. Burial followed in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Friends called Tuesday after 3:30 pm and Wednesday from 8 to 11 am at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Melrose Senior Citizens prayed at 4 pm followed by VFW Auxiliary and Christian Mothers at 7 pm and parish prayers at 8 pm Tuesday at the funeral home.

Helen Rausch was born on July 2, 1922 in Krain Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Martin and Anna (Stueve) Schmitz. She was baptized on July 4, 1922 in St. Francis, Minnesota. She moved to Melrose in 1943. Helen married Wendell F. "Windy" Rausch on Jan. 14, 1947 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Melrose. She was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church, Christian Mothers and the VFW Auxiliary in Melrose.

Survivors include her children, James & Nancy Rausch of Burnsville, William & Joyce Rausch of Melrose, Kenneth & Nancy Rausch of Prior Lake, David & Jean Rausch of Hartselle, Alabama, Thomas & Sharon Rausch of Foley, and John "Jack" & Sherry Rausch of Melrose; 13 grandchildren; sister, Kathryn Tschida, and brother, Ted Schmitz of Melrose.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wendell F. "Windy" Rausch on August 9, 1995; infant daughter, Ann Rausch; brother, Robert Schmitz, and sister, Eleanor Breth.

Casket bearers were her sons, James, William, Kenneth, David, Thomas and John "Jack" Rausch. Cross bearer was Shayla Rausch. Scripture bearer was Tracy Rausch.

Honorary bearers were Dolores Maleska, Agnes Maus, Loretta Rieland, Mary Ann Wenker, Betty Lou Pflipsen, Vera Ritter, Rita Frieler, Kitty Mueller, Frances Schreifels, Irene Becker, Sally Klaphake, Marian Wieling, Irene Pohlman, Shirley Nathe, Marie Rademacher and Alice Klaphake.