Herb Rausch

Monday, November 28, 2016 5:50 pm

Herb Rausch, 99, of Fort Atkinson, died Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, at the Barthell Eastern Star Home in Decorah. Mass of Christian Burial is at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at St. John’s Catholic Church, Fort Atkinson, with Rev. Kyle Digmann officiating. 

Organist is Jeanette Dietzenbach. St. John’s Choir will sing “Be Not Afraid,”  “Only a Shadow,” “Amazing Grace,” “We Remember” and “How Great Thou Art.” Lector is Clark Gerleman. 

Mass servers are Dan Neuzil and Dick Nienhaus. Offertory gift bearers are Jason and Jeremy Rausch. Eucharistic ministers are Ann Herold, Ron Franzen, Jim Kriener and Craig Hosting. 

Casket bearers are John Wiest, Jack Herold, Linus Kuboushek, Roger Croatt, Jerry Meyer and Robert Rausch. 

Military rites at graveside are by Huber Steffes American Legion Post No. 672 and Turkey River VFW Post No. 3902. Interment is at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Fort Atkinson. Arrangements are being handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Chekal Chapel, Fort Atkinson.

Herbert Gerhardt Rausch was born May 5, 1917, the son of Hugo C. and Barbara (Hackman) Rausch on the family farm three miles south of Fort Atkinson. 

Herb attended St. Luke’s Catholic School. He served in the US Army from 1942 to 1945 during World War II, serving in Africa, Italy, France, Germany and Austria. 

Herb married Christine Kuboushek Dec. 27, 1945, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville. Herb operated a crane for Reilly Construction as a sub-contractor for 23 years, doing road construction. 

He then became self-employed operating his crane for a total of 60 years, retiring when he was 88 years old. Herb enjoyed music and playing the accordion. Herb owned, developed and maintained the trailer park in Fort Atkinson up until a few years ago. 

He enjoyed working in his yard, keeping things meticulous and helping others. Herb was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church, was a member of the Foresters, Huber-Steffes American Legion Post No. 627, VFW Turkey River Post No. 3902 and the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus.

Herb’s survivors include his wife, Christine Rausch, Fort Atkinson; one daughter, Mary J. (Steve) Chamberlin, Cedar Rapids; one son, John M. (Carla) Rausch, Waucoma;  two grandsons, Jason J. (Jessica) Rausch, Omaha, Neb. and Jeremy (Toni) Rausch, North Liberty; five great-grandchildren: Madison and Colton Rausch, Jacob, Myah and Jaxson Rausch; two sisters, Verena Croatt, West Union and Laura Kuboushek, Calmar; one sister-in-law, Darlys Rausch, Fort Atkinson; along with many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Herb was preceded in death by his parents, Hugo and Barbara (Hackman) Rausch; three brothers: Alex (Loretta) Rausch, Donald Rausch and Carl (Helen) Rausch; one sister, Hermina (Arnold) Boeding; two brothers-in-law, James Croatt and Robert Kuboushek; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Albert and Christina (Luzum) Kuboushek.