Shirley M. Rauscher

Amazingly strong and resilient, Shirley Rauscher fought back after every illness, hospitalization and rehab in recent years. But on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, at 94 years old, our Lord God decided that it was time for her to rest in peace, reunited with her beloved husband Fran. She died peacefully at Orchard Hills Assisted Living in Eau Claire, surrounded by love. With deep sorrow, but also with joy in the hope of the Resurrection, her children prayed over her and said their last good-byes.

Here is the story of Shirley’s long, full life.

Shirley was born January 20, 1930, in Bloomer, WI, to Gilbert "Gib" and Viola (Thorp) Anderl. She and her younger sisters Donna and Peggy enjoyed roller skating and they worked at the family root beer stand and grocery store.

She attended St. Paul's Grade School and Bloomer High School, graduating as Valedictorian in 1948. She earned an Associate Degree in accounting from Minneapolis Business College in 1950. She was one of only 4 women accepted there at the time. She worked in accounting at Hill Bros Coffee in Minneapolis, Anderson Cadillac & Oldsmobile in Chippewa Falls, and Strebig Auto Co. and Weather Shield Mfg. Inc. in Medford, retiring in 1990.

On October 9, 1951, she married her high school sweetheart Francis Rauscher in Bloomer. They lived in San Diego while Fran served in the Navy, then Bloomer before moving to Menomonie where he attended UW-Stout. In 1957 they moved to Medford where she lived for 38 years. Shirley, Fran and their children, Mary, Jim and Terri, enjoyed camping and traveling around the country with Shirley's father Gib.

After Fran’s passing in 1994, Shirley moved to Eau Claire in 1995, where she was very proud of the beautiful condo that she bought, furnished and decorated at Mountain Ash Condominiums, living there for 25 years.

More than anything else, Shirley loved her three children, two grandchildren and six great grandchildren who are spread across the country. When she could no longer travel, she delighted in "getting together" with family on FaceTime.

Although she often complained that "Technology and I don't get along," even at 94, she kept up with her family using her iPad, iPhone and especially her PC, creating custom Christmas and birthday cards. Fran, whose area of expertise was technology, would have been so proud of her.

An expert at sewing, crocheting, counted cross stitch, quilting, embroidery and crafting, Shirley lovingly created Christmas gifts for loved ones. These beautiful, precious heirlooms now fill their homes with reminders of her. She also enjoyed reading, collecting Beanie Babies and solving jigsaw and crossword puzzles.

At 4 years old, she learned to tap dance. In the 1930s, she and her dancing partner Gordy won an annual competition that included an appearance on the Major Bowes Amateur Hour Show in New York City, but she and her family couldn’t afford the trip during the Depression. Instead, she used the prize money to purchase the family’s Henderson cabinet grand piano, an instrument that brought many hours of enjoyment to her family and that led to Jim’s music career.

She was a member of St. James The Greater Catholic Church and the Parish Council of Catholic Women. Father Tom Krieg gave her great joy and comfort. He celebrates Mass weekly at Orchard Hills and last July her family accompanied her to his Mass there. For many years, she attended Mass with Monsignor Klimek at the Sacred Heart Hospital Chapel.

Survivors include daughters, Mary Kay (Kenneth) Ingles, Mequon, WI, and Terri Rauscher (Jolene Nelson), Janesville, WI; son, Jim (Vanessa) Rauscher, Amarillo, TX. Grandson, John (Chassity) Rauscher, Aubrey, TX, Granddaughter, Ann Marie (Ryan) Ball, Jacksonville, FL. Great-Grandsons, Logan and Christian James (CJ) Rauscher, Great-Granddaughters, Trinity and Ava Rauscher and Evelyn and Emilia Ball. Also surviving are sister, Peggy (Peter) Prince, Bloomer, WI, sister-in-law Nona (Bill) Rauscher and numerous beloved family members and close friends, including Bonnie and Fay Yost and Mary Ann Weideman.

Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister Donna (Wally) Boos.  

The family would like to thank Orchard Hills Assisted Living and Mayo Hospice for their exceptional, compassionate care  of Shirley and her family. They would also like to thank Roger Liddell and his Caring Transitions crew for their extraordinary support.

Shirley will be buried with Fran at St. Paul’s North Catholic Cemetery in Bloomer. Funeral services will be held at a future date. If desired, memorials are suggested to St. James the Greater Catholic Church of Eau Claire https://osvhub.com/parish-st-james-the-greater/giving/funds  or  The Highground Veterans Memorial Park in Neillsville, WI https://www.thehighground.us/about-us/donate/

Despite growing up in Wisconsin and refusing to live anywhere else, Shirley dreaded winter and snow. May she and Fran now rest in peace in perpetual sunshine and warmth.

Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com.

Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.  

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.