Service Information
Esther Alice (Butterfass) Rauch, age 62, of Stewart and Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Friday, July 29, 2016, at Hutchinson Health in Hutchinson.
A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, August 4, 2016, at 11:00 A.M. at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson.
Gathering of family and friends will be Thursday, 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., ALL at the church.
Obituary
Esther Alice Butterfass Rauch was born on July 16, 1954, in Watertown, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Lloyd and Esther (Koch) Butterfass. Esther was baptized as an infant and was later confirmed in her faith as a youth on April 7, 1968, at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, Minnesota. She attended school in Howard Lake and was a graduate of the Howard Lake High School Class of 1972. Esther furthered her education at Hutchinson Technical College (now Ridgewater College) and received a degree in Agriculture for Dairy Herd Management.
On April 23, 1983, Esther was united in marriage to Melvin Rauch at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake. This marriage was blessed with one son, Paul. Esther and Melvin resided in the Hutchinson area, and later moved to the Stewart area. They shared 33 years of marriage.
Esther was employed as a Tester for DHIA (Dairy Herd Improvement Association) for 15 years. She also worked at 3M, Lamplighter II, Hallmark, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Cash Wise Foods and Runnings.
Along with being a loving wife, mother and homemaker, Esther enjoyed quilting, flowers, animals, and loved spending time outdoors. Family and friends knew her as “Esther the Tester”. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family, and many friends.
Esther passed away on Friday, July 29, 2016, at Hutchinson Health in Hutchinson, at the age of 62 years.
Blessed be her memory.
Esther is survived by her:
Husband, Melvin Rauch of Stewart, MN;
Son, Paul Rauch of Stewart, MN;
Sister, Doris Schendel and her husband, Bob of Waverly, MN;
Brother, Loren Butterfass of Waverly, MN;
Sister-In-Law, Sandi Butterfass of Watkins, MN;
Brothers-In-Law, Roger Rauch and his wife, Debbie of Glencoe, MN, Russell Rauch of Hutchinson, MN, Rodney Rauch of Clarion, IA;
Many Nieces, Nephews, relatives and friends.
Esther is preceded in death by her Parents, Lloyd and Esther (Koch) Butterfass; Brother, Ed Butterfass.
Mary Jo Glunz-Bartz says
Esther was a good friend at Howard Lake HS. She always had a broad smile and a wonderful laugh. My condolences to all those whose lives were touched by her and my prayers are with her and her loved ones.