Obituary
Leona Rauch, beloved mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother went to be with her Lord on Thursday, October 29, 2015. Leona was born to William and Amelia Martin in Glasgow, Montana on October 9, 1918. She had three sisters and seven half-brothers and sisters. She graduated from Nashua High School in Nashua, Montana in 1936.
Shortly after graduation, Leona traveled to Washington to help her half-sister, Augusta, with her family and later attended Kinman Business University in Spokane, receiving a Secretarial certificate. She moved back to Grand Coulee and worked at her future husband's grocery store as the bookkeeper.
Leona married Elmer Rauch on November 11, 1939, in Grand Coulee. They moved into their house on 303 Partello in 1940, where Leona lived for 75 years until she passed away. When Elmer returned from the Army in 1946, they entered the hardware business. They remained in business together for 35 years, retiring from Rawe and Rauch Hardware in 1981.
Leona had a tremendous dedication to her numerous family members. She took great interest in following their many activities and celebrating their accomplishments. Leona was a long-time member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Grand Coulee. Her deep faith was a guiding force in her life.
Leona was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer, in 2001; her daughter. Jeanie, in 2005; and numerous brothers and sisters. She is survived by sons: Mark (Nichol), and Hal (Dee Altig); son-in-law Dick; sisters: Betty Lacy and Ida Eres; five grandchildren: Lisa (Todd), Mark (Denise), Shayla (Donovon), Andrea (Douglas) and Shannon (Damon); seven great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Leona's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 5, at the Coulee Dam Community Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Zion Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 4, Grand Coulee, Washington. 99133, or the Grand Coulee Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 180, Grand Coulee, Washington 99133.
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