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

Priscilla H. Rasche

June 18, 1945 - November 16, 2023

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