Irene Rauch quietly went home to her husband, son and great grandson in the early morning hours of October 17, 2017. She passed away at the Rhode Island Suites in Ransom, Kansas.
Irene Tilton was born April 4, 1936 in Quinter, Kansas to Jessie Fern (Ulrich) and Jay Tilton. She was the only child born to this union. Irene lived in the Quinter and Collyer communities while growing up. She enjoyed spending time with her Mother’s siblings.
Irene met her future husband while waiting tables at an area cafe. Irene married Andrew E. Rauch on December 19, 1953 in Raton, New Mexico. Andy and Irene spent their early years in Eastern Colorado and Western Kansas before eventually settling in Southern Trego County Kansas.
They had five children; Lonie Gene, Marilyn Elaine, Marqueta Lynn, Edwin Jo and Andy Lee.
Irene was a very important member of the family dairy farm. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, crocheting and later in life making dollies and plastic canvas gifts for all the family. She enjoyed gardening, canning vegetables, and her flower beds. She also loved her many dogs that were great companions thru the years.
Irene and Andy were blessed with the love of their grandchildren; Lawrence Higgins, Melissa Miller, Mathew Higgins, Hillary Higgins, Lana Sherrard, April Hernandez, Joey Keeton, Randy W. Keeton, Amanda Tomanek, Clayton Rauch, and Hailey Keeton, along with 14 great grandchildren.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Jay and Jessie Tilton in 1968, her oldest son, Lonie in 1977 and her husband Andy in 1998 and great grandson Trevor in 2012. She leaves to mourn her passing her daughters, Marilyn Higgins of Ness City, Kansas and Marqueta Keeton and husband, Randy of Leoti, Kansas; her sons, Edwin Rauch and his wife, Michelle of WaKeeney, Kansas and Andy Rauch and his wife, Cynthia of Sapulpa, Oklahoma.
Services will be held at the Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, Kansas on Saturday October 21st at 10:30 a.m., viewing will be on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. with visitation services Friday evening between 5 and 7 p.m. Burial will be at the Rauch Family Cemetery in rural Trego County, Kansas.
The family would like to thank the staff at Rhode Island Suites and Dr. McLain for the wonderful care they provided to Irene. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Irene’s name to Rhode Island Suites.