Nellie Rauch, age 87, of Wolf Point, MT passed away at the Trinity Hospital on December 22, 2008.
Nellie was born in Chinook, MT on September 21, 1921 to Heinrich and Katherina (Fast) Unrau. Nellie was the youngest of eight girls: Katherina, Anna, Marie, Helen, Sarah, Agnes and Susie. In 1925 the family moved from Chinook to a farm in the Lustre Community.
On March 20, 1946 Nellie married the love of her life, Jacob Rauch. To this union four children were born: Phyllis, Virgil, Sylvia and Rd. Jacob and Nellie lived and farmed in Lustre until Jacob passed away in 1990. A few years later Nellie moved into an apartment at the Faith Home in Wolf Point.
Nellie was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Her husband, children and grandchildren were very important to her. She prayed daily for her family, relatives, friends, church and missionaries.
Nellie was a dedicated Christian who loved the lord. She was a member of the EMB Church in Lustre. When she moved to Wolf Point she attended the Gospel Fellowship Church. She was very active in her church. She loved to talk about her 60 years of teaching Sunday School at the EMB Church. She was also involved in the Ladies Ministry Group.
Nellie love to sew, crochet, cook and do plastic canvas work. She made many afghans for her children and grandchildren. She was known for her wonderful letter writing–no e-mailing for her. She wrote long, encouraging letters to missionaries, friends and family members. She kept a diary from early childhood until her death.
Nellie is preceded in death by her husband, Jacob, parents and sisters. She is survived by her children: Phyllis (James) Nygard, Virgil (Kathy) Rauch, all of Wolf Point, Sylvia (Jeff) McCutcheon of Galt, CA and Rd (Stacy) Rauch of Gold Bar, WA; her grandchildren: Micah (Mychiel), Nathan, Shane, Taylor, Lauren, Taniken, Tristen and Tatyanna, and many other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be from 1:00 – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel, Wolf Point. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at the EMB Church in Lustre with Pastor John Skillman and Pastor Bruce Bogar officiating. Interment will follow at the EMB Church Cemetery in Lustre.
The family suggests memorials be made to the Gideon’s International.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com . Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.