Robert "Bob" Rausch

Robert “Bob” Rausch, 93, passed away at home on October 8, 2018, after a long battle with cerebrovascular disease during which he was cared for by his family, especially his youngest daughter, Ruth, with support from Dakota Home Care and CHI Hospice. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 15, at the Church of Corpus Christi, 1919 N. 2nd St., with Rev. Paul Becker presiding and Rev. John Guthrie concelebrating. Visitation will be held from 3:00-6:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 14, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, with sharing of memories to begin at 4:30 p.m. A rosary will be held at 1:30 pm Monday, October 15, at Church of Corpus Christi, Bismarck. Burial will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery following the funeral and luncheon. Bob was born on July 3, 1925, in Elgin, ND. His parents were Anthony P. and Wilhelmina “Minnie” (Kramer) Rausch who had moved to Elgin from Watkins, Minnesota. In 1937 the family moved from Glen Ullin to Dickinson and then to Bismarck to open Rausch Furniture Company. Bob attended St. Mary’s High School where he met and fell in love with Magdalen Schneider. They were seniors on December 7, 1941, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. In August 1943, Bob enlisted in the army infantry and participated in the Philippine Islands Liberation at Lingayen Gulf on the Island of Luzon north of Manila in 1944. After discharge from the Army in 1945, Bob returned to Bismarck where he and Maggie were married on September 2, 1946 at St. Mary’s Church. He graduated from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota in 1948. Bob and Maggie then settled permanently in Bismarck where he spent his entire working career at Rausch Furniture Company until he retired in 1991. Bob and Maggie enjoyed 72 years of marriage and were blessed with eight children: Johanna (deceased); Robert Daniel “Dan”(Connie Cavanaugh) of Palo Alto, CA; Deb (Ken) Degnan of Thornton, CO; Linda (Bob) Fawcett of Triangle, VA; Mary (Bruce) Davis of Thornton, CO; David (Cristina) of Martinez, CA; Jerome of Minneapolis, MN; Ruth of Bismarck; 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Audrey (Ed) Behrendt and brother Tom (Twylla) all of Bismarck. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; sister Mildred (Richard) Gallagher of Mandan; brother Vernon (Sue) of Minneapolis, MN; sister Mary Ann of Bismarck; and sister Karen (Al) Wolf of Bismarck. Bob was an engaged, loving family man. He and Maggie would load all seven young kids into a station wagon for annual summer vacations at the lakes in Minnesota. He taught them fishing and hunting and left them all with a love for the outdoors. Bob worked hard all his life to provide for his family, setting an example for his children of the value of hard work and responsibility. He was a kind, humble, gentle soul with a generous spirit. Bob saw the best in others and gave the best he had, always. His broad ready smile and playful sense of humor will be sorely missed. Bob and Maggie were charter members of St. Anne’s Church and later became active members of Corpus Christi Parish for many years. Bob was a co-founder and charter member of the Serra Club for Religious Vocations. Bob was also a Fourth Degree Honorary Life Member of the Knights of Columbus. In 1995 Bob received a Distinguished Service Award from St. Mary’s Central High Alumni Association Board of Directors. In addition to his community and church activities, Bob was an avid outdoorsman and amateur photographer. Any day spent in a duck slough was a good day, and duck hunting season couldn't open soon enough to head out with his favorite hunting partner to their beloved hunting shack. He also enjoyed pheasant hunting, fishing, and golfing. Bob loved taking drives through the countryside to soak in the prairie coulees and buttes, the feathered wildlife, and old farmsteads and friends. Bob often brought back stunning wildlife and landscape photos from his outdoor adventures. He loved to capture memories of all occasions with his camera and share them with his family and friends. A treasure trove of slides and photos remains for his family to cherish. Bob loved Maggie's chocolate fudge, rhubarb pie, and holiday Tom and Jerries - sweets for a dear, sweet man. Those who so desire may make donations in Bob’s memory to either the Serra Club Foundation for Religious Vocations at PO Box 36, Bismarck, ND 58502 or the new St. Mary's Central High School at Light of Christ Catholic Schools Capital Campaign, Attn: Office of Mission Advancement, 1025 N 2nd St, Bismarck, ND 58501.