ObituariesMarch 6, 2014

Ilene Caroline Rauch
Ilene Caroline Rauch

Ilene Caroline Rauch, 84, lifelong resident of Troy, passed away on Tuesday, March 4, 2014, in Moscow. She was born April 6, 1929, on Burnt Ridge outside of Troy to Clarence and Alice (Johnson) Anderson.

Ilene graduated in 1947 from Troy High School. She married her high school sweetheart, Donald Rauch, on June 28, 1949, and spent her life devoted to her family. Ilene was a lifelong member of the Troy Lutheran Church and loved singing in the choir, served the congregation in many different ways and was the first woman elected to the church council, where she was the financial secretary for many years.

Ilene loved her family and spent many years boating and camping around the region. She was an expert seamstress and helped make many quilts at church for Lutheran World Relief. She was a member of the Burnt Ridge Friendly Friday Club, loved playing cards and had a beautiful singing voice.

Ilene was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband of 41 years, Donald Irwin Rauch; and her daughter, Becky Ann Denton. She is survived by her sisters, Maxine Nelson and Louise Soderstrom of Troy; her sons, Randy (Deena) Rauch of Moscow, Barry (Barb) Rauch of Dallesport, Wash., and Kevin (Marie) Rauch of Helena, Mont.; her grandchildren, Jason, Greg, Jenna, Brian, Roger, Joe, Bill, Ben, Denise and Diane. She is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

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A funeral will be held at

2 p.m. Friday, March 7 at the Troy Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at the Burnt Ridge Cemetery. A dinner for friends and family will be held at the church following the burial. The family has requested that donations be made to the Troy Lutheran Church or the Troy Fire and Ambulance Department in her memory.

Viewing will be at Short's Funeral Chapel from noon to 8 p.m. today.

Short's Funeral Chapel of Moscow is handling arrangements and online condolences may be sent to www.shortsfuneralchapel.com.

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