Leander Daniel "Lee" Rauen

Leander "Lee" D. Rauen, 87, Town of Rib Falls, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, March 2, 2025 at his home under the care of St. Croix Hospice.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Poniatowski with Rev. Alan Wierzba officiating. Following the Mass, he will be laid to rest in the parish cemetery with military honors conducted by his comrades in American Legion Post 393 of Edgar. Family and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Saturday from 9 AM until time of service. The honor of pallbearer belongs to: Kole Kaldunski, Kenya Kaldunski, Cody Klockziem and Mitchell Myszka.
Leander was born in Wausau on July 13, 1937 to the late Myron and Marie Rauen. He attended Holy Family Parochial School in Poniatowski. In 1958, he joined and served in the United States National Guard until his honorable discharge in 1962. On May 18, 1963, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Diane Jirgl at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Wausau. Together for 62 years, they raised five wonderful daughters on their farm in Rib Falls. Besides being a lifelong farmer, Leander was employed at the Edgar Meat Packing plant as well as Award Flooring.
He has been a lifelong member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Poniatowski.
Leander was always an adventurous and fun-loving man who you could enjoy a beer with, as long as it was cold and on tap. He enjoyed socializing and storytelling; especially his favorite train derailment story while he was in the military. Deer hunting, whitewater rafting, 4-wheeling and shooting in the local pool league were some favorite pastimes as well as polka dancing with his wife, Diane. He was a Mr. Fix-It, being able to fix anything that needed it. Hard work was no stranger to him, clearing stone fences, gardening and chopping firewood.
His memory will forever be cherished by his loving wife, Diane; his daughters, Cindy (Daniel) Klockziem of Athens, Kathleen (Bruce) Myszka, Christine (Joseph) Blair and Connie Rauen, all of Edgar and Ellen (Douglas) Kaldunski of Athens; his grandchildren, Dani (Eric) Kulas of Mosinee, Cody (Brittany) Klockziem of Edgar, Nathan (Courtney) Myszka of Edgar, Brittany (Daniel Rubio, MD) Myszka-Rubio, MD of Stratford, Amber (Jake) Kavajecz of Edgar, Mitchell (Whitney) Myszka of Edgar, Taylor (Caleb) Gintner of Marathon, Jordan (McKenzie) Baltz of Rothschild, Kenya (fiancé, Logan Wilson) Kaldunski of Milwaukee and Kole (Hannah Ekstrum) Kaldunski of Rochester, MN and his great-grandchildren, Grant, Adeline, Shelby, Trace, Easton, Harper, Emmitt, Kenzia, Sadie, Madelyn, Tripp, Teagan and three bundles of joy on the way. He is further survived by his sisters, Anne (LeRoy) Lutz of Brown Deer and Bernie (Ervin) Radke of Edgar; his sister-in-law, Joann Rauen of Marathon; his Godson, Patrick Rauen of Rib Mountain and his Goddaughter, Mindy Slominski of Stratford along with many other relatives, friends, and neighbors.
Preceding him in death include his parents, Myron and Marie Rauen; brother, Patrick Rauen; in-laws, Anton and Myrtle Jirgl; brother-in-law, Alan Kleinschmidt and sister-in-law, Linda L. (Ray) Brickner and Lyle Lueschow.
In lieu of flowers, the family is accepting memorials in Leander's name for a charity to be determined.
The family would like to extend a huge thank you to the staff at St. Croix Hospice and Alan & Barb Wirkus for their wonderful care and compassion shown to their husband, father, and grandfather.
Leander's arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home-Spencer. Family and friends are encouraged to visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com to share memories and offer condolences.