Joan Raasch

Joan Marie Raasch (née McRae) passed away peacefully at Mayo-Luther in Eau Claire, WI, at the age of 70 years.

Joan was born on Feb. 13, 1954, at Luther Hospital in Eau Claire, WI, to Harold J. and Jeanne (Rostad) McRae. She graduated from Memorial High School in 1972 and attended District One Vocational School. She moved to St. Paul, MN, in 1973 and found secretarial work at Jewish Family Services. She then worked for the State of Minnesota, Department of Employment and Economic Development (1977-2014), and eventually retired as a Management Analyst II after 37 years.

In St. Paul, Joan met Douglas R. Raasch, who also worked for the State of MN. They married at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN, on July 12, 1974. They resided in St. Paul, West St. Paul, and finally South St. Paul before Doug's death in 2012. She moved back to Eau Claire in 2019. Although they had no children of their own, they treated their nieces and nephews as their own.

Joan was caring, funny, and generous. She enjoyed helping others who weren't as "tech savvy" as she. She enjoyed sports, especially the Packers, and she and Doug were on the executive board of the MN North Stars, Moose, and Wild hockey team fan clubs. They attended many hockey fan club conventions across the country and in Canada and met countless friends along the way.

Joan is survived by her sisters: Catherine Haasl, Eau Claire; Patricia (Steven) Nusbaum, Altoona; Laurie (Wayne) Nelson, Lakeville, MN; sister-in-law, LeAnn (Thomas) Mahoney, St. Paul; nieces: Melissa (Joseph) Schmidt, Fond du Lac; Amy (Raymond) Steinbach, Brantwood; goddaughter Theresa Nelson (Donovan Harder), Minneapolis; Sarah Nelson, Brooklyn Center, MN; Lisa McDermott, St. Paul; Lori Wall, Milaca, MN; nephews: Christopher Fasching, Eau Claire; godson Sean (Jess) Mahoney, Duluth, MN; Brian Mahoney, St. Paul; and other relatives: Christopher Zachmeister, Jason Schadegg, Samuel Schmidt, Sophia Schmidt, Megan Wall, Jillian Wall, Katie McDermott, and Charlie McDermott; as well as many friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Doug; in-laws, Embert and Ladell (Niles) Raasch; and brother-in-law, Lawrence Raasch.

The family would like to thank Dr. Jad Roeske and his staff at Mayo Clinic-Luther Campus, for their efforts and dedication to Joan. Also, the staff in the Critical Care unit at the hospital for their care.

Funeral services will take place at 11am on Friday, May 30, 2025 at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral & Cremation Services – WEST CHAPEL, 1405 N. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire with Pastor David Irgens officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to service at the funeral home. Inurnment will be at Rest Haven Cemetery, Town of Washington.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.lenmarkfh.com.