Donald Joseph Rauenhorst, age 76, of Wells/Easton, MN, died Friday, July 22, 2011, at his home surrounded by family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, July 25, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells, MN. Visitation will be Sunday, July 24, 2011, from 4-8 p.m. at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells, MN, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Father Tom Niehaus will officiate, and burial will be in OLMC Cemetery, Barber Township, Faribault Co., MN. Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society, St. Casimir Catholic Church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, or United Hands Hospice of Blue Earth. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Donald Joseph Rauenhorst was born April 27, 1935, in Easton, MN, the son of Alfred and Helen (Hefner) Rauenhorst. He was a graduate of Wells-Easton High School, the class of 1953. He was united in marriage to Darlene Bleess on June 9, 1956, in Blue Earth, MN, and to this union six children were born. Darlene and their infant son, John Paul, died in childbirth on Feb. 7, 1981.
Don farmed his entire life and retired in 2008. He raised dairy cattle, hogs, horses and crops. He was named the Jaycees Outstanding Young Farmer in 1970. On December 14, 1982, Don was united in marriage to Marilyn (Mericle) Pieper in Easton, MN, along with her two children, Bill and Kristin. To this union a daughter Stacy was born. Don was known for his life-long love of horses, for charity work, participating in parades, and giving wagon rides. Since 1997, Don provided his horses and was the official driver for Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home's Horse Drawn Hearse, of which he helped complete. Don drove school bus for 20 years for USC school district. Don enjoyed family gatherings, camping, biking and keeping his lawns manicured and immaculate. He especially enjoyed and loved his children, grandchildren and talking and spending time with his siblings. Don made friends with people of all ages.
He is survived by his wife Marilyn of Wells, MN; 8 children: Bill (Dianne) Rauenhorst of Easton, MN, Steven (Lynn) Rauenhorst of Slidell, LA, Mark (Jan) Rauenhorst of Delavan, MN, Connie (Brad) Curtiss of Memphis, TN, Lori (Tim) Stenzel of Pemberton, MN, Stacy (Philip) Gardner of Rigby, ID, Bill (Deb) Pieper of Horace, ND, and Kristin (Greg) Fischer of St. Paul, MN; 17 special grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; 1 brother: Milton (Kathryn) Rauenhorst of Lakeville, MN, 1 sister: Betty (Larry) Thisius of Wells, MN; 1 brother-in-law: Tom Lubitz of Mankato, MN; 2 mothers-in-law: Helen Bleess of Blue Earth, MN, and Joyce Mericle of Wells, MN; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.
He was preceded in death by his parents; 1st wife, Darlene; and infant son, John Paul, 3 sisters: Melaine (Jim) Theede, Margaret Lubitz and Mary Jane (Harvey) Vogel; 2 fathers-in-law: Norbert Bleess and Cliff Mericle.
Donald Joseph Rauenhorst, age 76, of Wells/Easton, MN, died Friday, July 22, 2011, at his home surrounded by family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, July 25, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells, MN. Visitation will be Sunday, July 24, 2011, from 4-8 p.m. at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells, MN, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Father Tom Niehaus will officiate, and burial will be in OLMC Cemetery, Barber Township, Faribault Co., MN. Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society, St. Casimir Catholic Church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, or United Hands Hospice of Blue Earth. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Donald Joseph Rauenhorst was born April 27, 1935, in Easton, MN, the son of Alfred and Helen (Hefner) Rauenhorst. He was a graduate of Wells-Easton High School, the class of 1953. He was united in marriage to Darlene Bleess on June 9, 1956, in Blue Earth, MN, and to this union six children were born. Darlene and their infant son, John Paul, died in childbirth on Feb. 7, 1981.
Don farmed his entire life and retired in 2008. He raised dairy cattle, hogs, horses and crops. He was named the Jaycees Outstanding Young Farmer in 1970. On December 14, 1982, Don was united in marriage to Marilyn (Mericle) Pieper in Easton, MN, along with her two children, Bill and Kristin. To this union a daughter Stacy was born. Don was known for his life-long love of horses, for charity work, participating in parades, and giving wagon rides. Since 1997, Don provided his horses and was the official driver for Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home's Horse Drawn Hearse, of which he helped complete. Don drove school bus for 20 years for USC school district. Don enjoyed family gatherings, camping, biking and keeping his lawns manicured and immaculate. He especially enjoyed and loved his children, grandchildren and talking and spending time with his siblings. Don made friends with people of all ages.
He is survived by his wife Marilyn of Wells, MN; 8 children: Bill (Dianne) Rauenhorst of Easton, MN, Steven (Lynn) Rauenhorst of Slidell, LA, Mark (Jan) Rauenhorst of Delavan, MN, Connie (Brad) Curtiss of Memphis, TN, Lori (Tim) Stenzel of Pemberton, MN, Stacy (Philip) Gardner of Rigby, ID, Bill (Deb) Pieper of Horace, ND, and Kristin (Greg) Fischer of St. Paul, MN; 17 special grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; 1 brother: Milton (Kathryn) Rauenhorst of Lakeville, MN, 1 sister: Betty (Larry) Thisius of Wells, MN; 1 brother-in-law: Tom Lubitz of Mankato, MN; 2 mothers-in-law: Helen Bleess of Blue Earth, MN, and Joyce Mericle of Wells, MN; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.
He was preceded in death by his parents; 1st wife, Darlene; and infant son, John Paul, 3 sisters: Melaine (Jim) Theede, Margaret Lubitz and Mary Jane (Harvey) Vogel; 2 fathers-in-law: Norbert Bleess and Cliff Mericle.
Inscription
Married June 9, 1956. Our children, Bill, Steve, Mark, Connie, Lori, John Paul.
Gravesite Details
married 6/9/1956
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