Nathalie E. Rausch

KAUKAUNA/STOUGHTON-Nathalie Elsie Rausch, age 93, passed away on Jan. 12, 2018, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison. She was born on June 10, 1924, the daughter of Otto and Edith (Hahnemann) Dekarske.  Nathalie was born and raised in Kaukauna by her mother, a widow, who worked at the five and dime store to support her daughter.  She always spoke fondly of her mother’s tender care, and strong work ethic. Nathalie humbly modeled her mother’s life lesson, “to tell the truth and to be kind to everyone.” After graduating from Kaukauna High School, she met Harvey J. Rausch at the Kaukauna Lumber Company where they both worked.  They were united in marriage on Aug. 11, 1950, in Milwaukee, and then moved to the house he built for her on Riverside Drive, just down the road from his parents’ home in Kaukauna.  Together they raised their son, John.  Harvey worked at the Lieber Lumber Co., while Nathalie was the bookkeeper and salesperson at Haas Hardware. Later, she was employed at The Kaukauna Times newspaper in the ad department.  Nathalie volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul and 1000 Islands Wildlife Sanctuary.  At the age of 88, Nathalie moved to Stoughton to be closer to her son and his family.  For the last five years, she resided at the Skaalen Home where she was an active community member and a lucky winner at the Bingo table.  Nathalie enjoyed crocheting, knitting, sewing, crafting, bird watching, walking, and watching tv, her favorites included HSN, game channel, and the Packers, Badgers and Brewers.  She was active in Trinity Lutheran Church in Little Chute, Wis. (Alter Guild, Ladies Aid and AAL).  Nathalie loved her kitties, Sassy and Jasmine.  She is survived by her son, John (Kathryn); and two grandsons, Michael (Jessica) and their children, Allison and Jacob and Thomas (Ingrid) and their children, Samuel and Soren. Nathalie was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Harvey in May, 1977. Funeral services will be held at SKAALEN HOME CHAPEL, 400 N. Morris St., Stoughton, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018.  Cake and ice cream will follow in the community room.  Visitation will be held in the chapel from 1 p.m. until the time of the service on Sunday.  Burial will be at Highland Memorial Cemetery in Appleton. Nathalie was kind to everyone and quick to befriend people.  Her razor-sharp wit and caring nature made her easy to talk to and confide in.  Nathalie’s stubborn German nature and faith held her strong through adversity. She enjoyed being with friends and most of all – family! She dearly loved her grandsons, spoiled them mightily, and was very proud of the men they became and the wonderful women they married.  Nathalie treasured her great-grandchildren and enjoyed all their visits and calls.  She brightened the world with her smile and will be dearly missed by us all! Special thanks to the staff at Skaalen for supporting her, loving her, and, on some days, putting up with her!  Online condolences may be made at gundersonfh.com  Gunderson Stoughton Funeral & Cremation Care 1358 Hwy. 51 North at Jackson St. (608) 873-4590