Mary Rausch

Mary Helen (Hageman) Rausch, 87, of Fort Atkinson, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on October 30, 2025, as a result of an automobile accident.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at St. John’s Catholic Church, 201 Oak Street, Fort Atkinson, IA, with Rev. Nicholas Radloff presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery following the service.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at St. John’s Catholic Church, 201 Oak Street, Fort Atkinson, IA. Also, from 9:30-10:15 a.m. at the church on Wednesday morning, before the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorials made to the Winneshiek County 4-H.

A woman of deep faith, boundless compassion, and steadfast purpose, Mary lived her life in service to others — her family, her community, and her church. She will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to know her.

Born on January 19, 1938, on the family farm near Calmar, Iowa, Mary was the fifth of nine children born to Ignatius and Elizabeth (Kuennen) Hageman. Growing up in a large farm family instilled in her the values of hard work, faith, and generosity — virtues she carried throughout her life.

On June 25, 1956, Mary married the love of her life, Melvin Rausch, after meeting at the historic Inwood Ballroom in Spillville. Together, they celebrated 69 years of marriage, raising six children and sharing a lifetime of adventures that could only be described as remarkable. In their early years, they farmed the family’s century farm (Mel-Mar Farms) while nurturing a growing family. Later, they opened an Amway business in their home and eventually a storefront in Fort Atkinson, where they built lasting lifetime friendships.

One of Mary’s first jobs off the farm was working for the government, counting corn yields — often with her young son Derek tagging along. Education was a lifelong pursuit for Mary; she proudly earned her master’s degree from Liberty University, always valuing learning and personal growth.

Mary’s leadership and devotion to service were evident throughout her life. She was elected and served as President, Treasurer, and Director of the National Catholic Society of Foresters (1891 Financial), splitting her time between Iowa and Chicago. She also led St. Mary’s Court #657 and Fort Atkinson Court #657 as President for many years. Mary served as President of the Fourth District American Legion Auxiliary, was a 40-year member of Huber-Steffes ALA Unit #672 and served as secretary and chairman of Junior activities involving her granddaughters and great granddaughters. Mary worked for Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) for 20 years assisting displaced homemakers and later substitute-taught at Turkey Valley Schools. Mary also served as President of the Dubuque Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women, Decorah Deanery President, and attended over a dozen National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW) conventions.

Her passion for youth and agriculture was reflected in her years as a 4-H leader, guiding her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Mary loved teaching — whether it was showing rabbits, cattle, chickens, pigs, steers and other projects like photography. Her fondness for rabbits became a lifelong passion. At the Winneshiek County Fair, she spent countless hours in the barns, encouraging young exhibitors, sharing her knowledge, and making sure everyone who wanted to hold a rabbit had the chance.

Mary was also a loyal sports fan, especially when it came to basketball. She meticulously kept her own scorebooks and rarely missed a local or college game. Her favorite player was Caitlin Clark, and she could recite nearly every Iowa basketball statistic. She delighted in attending Little League and school events, cheering proudly from the stands for her family.

A natural conversationalist, Mary loved connecting with others — whether through phone calls with her sisters and classmates or checking in on family and friends. She cherished simple pleasures: feeding the birds outside her window, where she’d often see more than 30 finches, cardinals, woodpeckers, and orioles devour her homemade grape jam. Mary loved vegetable and flower gardening, focusing on home-grown tomatoes and canning many pints of tomato juice. She especially enjoyed baking and cooking with Melvin by her side, serving family favorites that everyone looked forward to at gatherings and no one ever left without enjoying a piece of pie from their home pear or apple trees

She enjoyed playing cards — especially buck euchre, Swoop, 7’s, Hearts, 500, and Spades — and could always be counted on to say, “I don’t like exacto, I was just trying to help, and it is just for fun!”

A woman of unwavering faith, Mary served as a parish lay minister and Eucharistic Minister, and taught CCD for many years at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson. Her radiant smile, open heart, and willingness to talk with anyone embodied her deep belief in living God’s love daily.

Mary is survived by her devoted husband, Melvin Rausch, and their children: Linda (Noel) Frana; Lois (Dean) Humpal; Dale (friend Kristin) Rausch; Dan Rausch; and Derek (Casey) Rausch. Grandchildren: Brian (Jennifer) Frana, Marty (Marissa) Frana, Aaron Frana, Chanda Humpal, Nicole (Steve) Sprague, DeAnn (Chris) Constantine, Josh (Alyssa) Humpal, Jordan (Hannah) Humpal, Jake (Kaitlyn) Humpal, Staci (Jerome) Koob, Jessica (Matt) Fischer, Kristin (Jordan) Nolte, Brooks Milbrandt, Ben (Kris) Rausch, Mike (Amber) Rausch, Madeline Rausch, Allie (Chance) Johnson, Kaci, Jayden, Kinzey, and Kortlynn Rausch. Great-grandchildren: Kael, Taylor, Adam, and Ellie Frana; Lily, Emma, Owen, Stella, Calvin, Ella, and Annie Humpal; Camryn and Evan Sprague; Hartley and Dominic Constantine; Clayton and Owen Koob; Hudson, Maddux, and Nixon Nolte; Kaden Fischer; Lena, Theo, Jeremiah, Rosella, Delaney, and Bellamy Rausch. Siblings: Bernice Hackman, Dorothy Schmitt, Theresa Cunitz, and Alma Meyer In-laws: Joan Schissel, Alice Hageman, and Louise Hageman. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews who brought her great joy.

Mary was preceded in death by her daughter, Lori Milbrandt; parents Ignatius and Elizabeth Hageman; siblings Urban, Leon (Jean), Alfred, and LaVerne Hageman; and brothers-in-law Alvin Hackman, Lee Schissel, Peter Meyer, Robert Cunitz, and Elmer Schmitt.