Audrey Rauhut

AUDREY ALICE RAUHUT nee Sommerfeld Audrey Alice Sommerfeld was born on December 1, 1937, to Henry and Alice (Footh) Sommerfeld in Canby, Minnesota. Audrey was baptized at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church in rural Boyd, Minnesota, a church of which her great-grandparents were founding members. Audrey, her parents, and older brother Donald first lived on a rental farm in Providence Township, Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota. In early 1943, Audrey's parents purchased a farm in Maxwell Township where she spent the rest of her childhood. Audrey's early education was at a country school near the farm. She was confirmed at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church. Audrey attended high school in Dawson, Minnesota, and graduated in 1955. Audrey attended Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and graduated in 1959, majoring in English education. Audrey started teaching junior high English in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. It was while teaching there that Audrey met Paul Rauhut, an industrial arts metal working teacher. Audrey and Paul married on June 13, 1964, at her home church of St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church. They moved to Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Audrey returned to college and obtained her master's degree in high school library science. Audrey and Paul moved to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, as Badger High School was one of the few schools that allowed married couples to work at the same school. Audrey became the high school librarian, and Paul was the metal working instructor co-ordinator. They originally rented a house on the west side of Lake Geneva, but then they built a beautiful home on Snake Road, near Geneva Lake. They loved living among the trees watching the birds and had many weeklong visits from their nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Audrey and Paul retired at age 55. In 1993 Audrey's sister-in-law June requested that Audrey become the grandmother for her grandchildren at her death and a year later Paul became the grandfather. They were both loved by the family. Audrey and Paul enjoyed traveling. They took trips to Ireland and Australia, took a road trip to Alaska with Audrey's parents, and traveled all over the United States. They belonged to a Miata club and enjoyed trips with that group. They decided to move to Elkhorn, Wisconsin, about 20 years ago. Audrey was an avid reader and was active in book club, card club and Audrey and Paul had a close group of friends that they enjoyed spending time with. In February 2023, Audrey moved to Holton Manor in Elkhorn February due to declining health. She passed away there on November 14, 2024. Audrey is survived by her nieces Debra (Jim) Stapek, Diane Sommerfeld and niece-in-law Gail Sommerfeld; nephews David Morton, Anthony Morton, and Aaron Van Heel (Kim); great-nieces Julie (Jon) Monson, Jennifer (Michael) Coffin, Laura (Jake) Jockisch, Alisha (Terrence) Klemish, Betty Sommerfeld, Shelbi Morton, and Emma and Lily Van Heel; great-nephews Derrick Sommerfeld and Taylor (Mandy) Sommerfeld; many great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews; sisters-in-law Marjorie Morton, Nancy (Don) Van Heel and Karoline Smith. Audrey was preceded in death by her husband Paul Rauhut, parents Henry and Alice Sommerfeld, brother and sister-in-law Donald and June Sommerfeld, nephew Douglas Sommerfeld; parents-in-law Herman and Hilda Rauhut and brothers-in-law John Rodd and Mike Smith. Visitation will be held at Haase-Lockwood Funeral Services in Elkhorn on November 21, 2024 at 10:30 AM with a prayer service at 11:30 AM. A funeral service will be held at Christ Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota on November 25, 2024, at 11:00 AM with visitation one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Audrey's name to First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lake Geneva.

Tributes

Audrey Rauhut

December 1, 1937 - November 14, 2024

Tributes

Audrey Rauhut

December 1, 1937 - November 14, 2024

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