Doris Wenaas Rauchstadt

Wenaas Rauchstadt, Doris E. age 89, of Bloomington, Minn. Longtime resident of Alexandria, Minn. and Mesa, Ariz., passed away September 6, 2008.We celebrate the life of Doris ? "DoDo," "Grandma DoDo," "Auntie DoDo," "GG DoDo" ? the matriarch and heart- and-soul of our family. Doris Waseen was born April 28th, 1919 with her beloved identical twin Dorothy, in Superior, Wisc. The golden-voiced twins and younger sister, Beverly, were inseparable in childhood, the twins singing regularly in church and on radio programs. Separated by marriage and WWII, they raised families, helped each other through life and spouse's deaths, as well as many other family joys and sorrows. The twins eventually lived together for 22 years in Mesa, Ariz. Their next door neighbor was their much-loved Beverly. Doris was preceded in death by her great love and husband, Sigurd (Bud) Wenaas; then by husband, Clarence (Bud) Rauchstadt, as well as father and mother, Randolph and Arvilla Waseen; brother, Marshall Waseen and sister, Beverly Pickut. Throughout life, Doris shared her unwavering faith and personal brand of you-can-do-anything optimism with her family, friends and the thousands of students she shepherded through elementary school in Alexandria and Garfield, Minn. Honored as Alexandria's Elementary School Teacher of the Year in the early ?70s, Doris led the creation of one of Minnesota's first open-school, individually-prescribed curriculums. The school was so successful that she was asked to present their story around the state. Doris was also a longtime teacher and superintendent of Sunday schools at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria and a teacher at Victory Lutheran of Mesa. One of her most rewarding activities was soloing and singing in the choirs at Calvary Lutheran and Victory Lutheran, where she and Dorothy sang many duets. Whether from public schools or Sunday school, her many, many students have gone on to rewarding lives, based on the love of learning, life and God she inspired. We remember her though as "Mom" to Barbara (Joe) Vroman, Richard (Claudia) Wenaas and Ronald (Suzanne) Wenaas. She was "Grandma DoDo" to Scott, Kristi (Steve), James (Nicolle), Jonathan (Molly), Cory, Jason (Megan), Katie, Carlee (Roger), Sue, Rich (Jennifer) and Dan (Cherie). Great-Grandma DoDo will be greatly missed by Tara, Jodi, Jacob, Bridget, Molly Rose, Ariel, Isaiah, Kylii, Mya, Brenna, Hallie, Svea, Kiernan, Noah, Elijah, Jonah, Jesse, Nathan, Dylan and Clarence's grand and great-grandchildren as well. Her sister Dorothy (Tom) Richards, as well as Doris' many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and nephews, extended family, close friends and fellow-lovers of great times, great music, great food (especially "DoDo's Cinnamon Bread and Caramel Rolls") have their own fond, amazing memories of campouts, cookouts, performances, holidays, meeting places, favorite haunts and just quiet moments. A Past Worthy Matron of the Alexandria Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star (OES), Doris' fellow members helped celebrate her 65th year of membership last year and will join the family in celebrating her life in a memorial service at 10:30 am, Wednesday, September 17 in the OES Chapel at the Minnesota Masonic Home, 11501 Masonic Home Drive, Bloomington, Minn. Following lunch, interment will return her at long last to Sigurd (Bud) Wenaas' side at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Memorials to your favorite charity or to the Minnesota Masonic Home are preferred. Mom, your life was full and you had a song for everyone and every need. Our hearts overflow with the love you gave without question or condition. Alzheimer's tried to steal you from us, but you won, going peacefully in sleep to join your loved ones in a better place. We thank you. Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Tributes

Doris Wenaas Rauchstadt

September 14, 2008

Tributes

Doris Wenaas Rauchstadt

September 14, 2008

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