Mary Ann Rausch

Mary Ann Rausch age 77 of Waucoma, IA died Friday, September 5, 2025, at Good Samaritan Society in West Union, IA.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Waucoma, with Rev. Nick Radloff celebrating the Mass. Interment will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Waucoma.

Friends may greet the family from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Waucoma. Visitation continues one hour before the Mass at the church in Waucoma on Wednesday.

Mary Ann Rausch passed away peacefully on September 5, 2025, in West Union, Iowa. She was born on September 9, 1947, in Salisbury, Maryland, and graduated from Easton High School in 1966.

One evening at a local bowling alley, Mary met Robert Rausch, a young serviceman from Iowa. That chance meeting grew into a lifelong partnership filled with love and family. They were married on June 18, 1972, in her hometown of Easton, Maryland, and together celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2022. They made their home in Waucoma, Iowa, where they raised their family.

Mary’s Catholic faith was a guiding light in her life and shaped how she lived each day. She was loving, kind, and always put her family first. Her greatest joy was gathering her family together for the holidays and supporting her children and grandchildren whenever they needed her.

In her quieter moments, Mary enjoyed sitting on the porch, feeding and watching the birds—especially the eagles, which she loved following with her “eagle chat” friends. She found joy in garage sales, morning coffee with her neighbors, and watching Korean soap operas that always brought her a smile. Her kitchen was often filled with the comforting aroma of her famous apple pie or her Italian roast beef, both cherished family favorites.

Mary’s life was centered on love and family, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her. The memories she leaves behind will be forever cherished.

Mary is survived by her husband, Robert Rausch of Waucoma, IA; two sons, Michael (Amie) Rausch of Ladysmith, WI, and Richard Rausch of Waucoma, IA; daughter, Debra (Alex) Rolfes of Waterville, MN; son-in-law, Jason (the late Kathleen) Chicken of Waucoma, IA; eleven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one brother, Joe (Bonnie) Mister of Maryland; and two sisters, Patti (Eddie) Hunt of Maryland and Margaret (the late Daryl) Gaultney of Maryland.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Nora and Edgie Mister, and her beloved daughter, Kathleen Chicken.