Gilbert Rauschenberger

Gilbert "Gil" Rauschenberger, 88, Bismarck, died Feb. 14, 2014, at Sanford Health, Bismarck. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 1143 N. 26th St., Bismarck, with the Rev. Larry Giese officiating. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Gil was born Jan. 1, 1926, in rural Kief, the son of Gottlieb and Katie (Jeske) Rauschenberger. He graduated from Kief High School. At the age of 18, he entered the U.S. Army and served for two years and eight months, including nine months in Europe during World War II. Gil met his loving wife, Lu, when he returned home from military service and they entered into marriage on Sept. 19, 1947; the couple had four children. They lived in Kongsberg, where Gil managed the grain elevator before taking a similar position in Kenmare. In 1963, Gil and Lu purchased the Kenmare Clothing store. They owned and operated the store until 1982, when they sold the store to their son, Ron and daughter-in-law, Laurie Rauschenberger.

Gil was not only a business leader but gave of his time and resources to his community. He served on the following community boards, Nazareth Lutheran Church, Kenmare School Board, Kenmare Centennial Park, Association of Commerce, Kenmare Fund ITT, VFW, American Legion, Kenmare Country Club, Kenmare Hospital, Housing Corporation, Kenmare Economic Development Corporation, and was treasurer for District 6 Republicans. He also enjoyed many years of gathering for coffee in the morning with his Kenmare business and community friends.

He enjoyed golfing, gardening, and spending long weekends at their cabin on Lake Metigoshe, it was a favorite place for family and friends to gather. Gil loved it when the grandchildren came in full swimming gear to enjoy the lake. In 2006, Gil and Lu sold their home in Kenmare and moved to Bismarck.

Gil is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Lu; his son, Gale (Amy) Rauschenberger, Tioga; his son, Ron (Laurie) Rauschenberger, Bismarck; his daughter, Sandy (Joe) Anderson, Forman; his daughter, Sindy (Brad) Keller, Fargo; his grandchildren, Pam (Neil) Garden, Kate (Nathan) Vetter, Ryan Rauschenberger, Nicole Anderson, Luke (Amy) Anderson, Gabe (Karlee) Rauschenberger, and Garth (Evy) Rauschenberger; seven great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Ruth Rauschenberger.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, John (Lydia), Harold (Della), Bill (Evelyn), and Leonard Rauschenberger; his sisters, Ida (Martin) Isaak, Freda (Elard) Helm, Ema (Woodrow) Hammers, Linda (Albert) Isaak, and Rosella (Herb) Hauff; his nephew, Allen Helm; and niece, June Rauschenberger.

Gil's last six weeks of life were difficult and now he no longer suffers. He is dancing in heaven with his siblings.

Go to www.eastgatefuneral.com to share memories of Gil and sign the online guest book.