Priscilla H. Rasche

Priscilla H. Rasche

June 18, 1945 - November 16, 2023

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Obituary

We celebrate the beauty of Priscilla Rasche’s earthly life, which ended too soon on Nov. 16, 2023, in her adopted home of Madison, Wis.

 

Priscilla was born in Waterbury, Conn., on June 18, 1945, to Ralph Ernest Rasche and Jessie O’Brien Rasche, making a family of four with her elder sister, Pamela “Pammie,” two years Priscilla’s elder. Her early years were an idyllic New England childhood of playing with her blue-eyed kitten, “Blueberry Muffin,” exploring in the woods near her house, and assuming the role of her hero, Annie Oakley, and earning her Gold Honor Pin as a Girl Scout.

 

Tragically, her father Ralph’s life was cut short when Priscilla was only 8 years old, and this was the first of hardships over which Priscilla was able to prevail.

 

Priscilla was married and had two children, Daniel (1965) and Heather (1967) with her first husband. The family moved to the Chicago Area in 1970. Priscilla completed a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1975 and a Master of Education in 1991. She was an award-winning elementary school teacher of 30+ years and was a finalist for the Illinois “Teacher of the Year” and recipient of the Illinois State Board of Education Award of Excellence in 1998.

 

Priscilla was a master home curator and was highly talented at creating beautiful and serene living spaces.  She passionately loved gardening and nature walks to track Monarch butterflies, especially when these could be done with her grandchildren.

 

Most of all, Priscilla was devoted to filling others’ lives with happiness, even at times when she herself was facing various life challenges. She was a devoted mother and grandmother without equal, and she brought grace, beauty, compassion and love to all she touched.


Priscilla will be deeply missed by many dear friends too numerous to mention individually and family members including, sister, Pam; son, Daniel; daughter, Heather; and grandchildren, Daniel, Jasper and Robin.


Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761



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GR
Gene Ruet
Other •
My late wife Nancy Ruet worked with Priscilla at BSD2 for 17 years, and became instant friends and kindred spirits, as if they had known each other for years. Even after my wife passed away, Priscilla continued to be a very special friend to me, as we both loved bird watching, and I always admired her collection of carved wooden water birds. We shared many animated and delightful conversations since I met her over 30 years ago. I still have many of the greeting cards that Priscilla sent to Nancy or to me, with her sweet words of friendship and encouragement. I will always remember her cute smile and ebullient, effervescent laughter.
B2
Bensenville School District 2
Other •
Our Deepest Sympathy to the family of Priscilla. Thank you for the many years teaching the children of the Bensenville School District 2.
FC
Fiona Campbell
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I volunteered with Priscilla through the Perfect Pair organization at UW Madison, and from the Winter of 2022 into the Spring of 2023, I would see her every Sunday at the Lakes. We would play scrabble or Yahtzee, and engage in really nice conversations. She was so proud of her family, and told me the sweetest stories of her grandkids. I looked forward to seeing her every Sunday- Priscilla taught me how to play Yahtzee and I will always associate that game with her. Whenever she got a Yahtzee, her face with light up and she would throw her hands in the air and yell it, for all the other residents to hear- it was a fairly quiet room we were in too! We certainly made our presence known. We had good laughs and even better conversation. I always admired her spirit and sweet demeanor. I am so sorry for your loss, and send my deepest condolences.

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