JOAN RAUSCH

 Joan Marylyn (Kraft) Rausch

Joan Rausch passed peacefully on May 24, 2025 with her children by her side.  Joan was born on Sept 27, 1929, the daughter of Lawrence and Pernilla Kraft. She had 3 siblings, Jean Kraft Elias, Richard Kraft and Stanley Kraft.  After graduating high school in Menasha Joan went to UW Fox Valley for one year before marrying the love of her life, Jim Rausch, on Sept 26, 1949.  They moved to Madison where Jim finished college. After Jim's passing in November 2009, Joan found her later in life love, Wally Stenson.

Joan and Jim had many happy years doing what they loved, from the building of their log cabin on Jungle Lake to hiking and camping in the mountains of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and Canada.  They both loved being outdoors with nature along with skiing and hiking.

Joan was a stay-at-home mom and enjoyed cooking, gardening and including the neighborhood children in many activities. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader, a Cub Scout leader, volunteered with the Red Cross and was involved with the Boys Brigade.  She was an avid crafter and enjoyed being part of the Gloria Dei quilters and knitters groups.  She also was a huge Green Bay Packer and Badger football fan.  She also enjoyed an occasional glass of wine and was affectionately known as the ‘cupcake lady' at the Valley VNA.

Music was a huge part of Joan's life.  Her father organized the very first band program at Menasha High School and was the band director for his entire career, so it was just in her blood.  She joined the U of Wisconsin Fox Valley band for 4 years. She then joined the Neenah Community Band.  She was a charter member and played for 40+ years. She was honored to travel with the band to Yugoslavia and Greece on a goodwill tour.  Music kept her involved in her church choir as well.

In her words, the most important part of her life was raising 3 beautiful children which grew to many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She and Jim dearly loved them all! 

Mom asked that we not mourn her passing.  She is with dad now.  We will celebrate her life as it was a very full life!

Joan was preceded in death by her husband Jim, her parents, her sister Jean Kraft Elias and her brother Stan Kraft.  Surviving Joan are her children Connie (Bill) Casey, Becky (Mike) Coonen and Carl Rausch, her Grandchildren, Ryan ( Dawn) Flom, Kyle (Courtney) Flom, Michael (Sally) Coonen, Dane (Maria) Coonen, Vanessa (Tim) Ivey, Justin (Heather) Hansen, Sam Rausch, Colin Rausch and Carly Rausch and several great grandchildren.  Also surviving are her brother Dick Kraft as well as many nieces and nephews.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Valley VNA and also the staff with ThedaCare Hospice for the special care they gave mom every day and during her final days.  You are all so special!

A private family celebration of Joan's life will be held at a later date.