Rausch, Carol Ann Kearney

Carol Ann Kearney Rausch passed away on Jan. 9, 2012, at home from “that damn cancer.” As one who rarely accepted anything as beyond her control, Carol set forth her wishes for her celebration of life before passing. Services will begin at Reiff Funeral Home in Epworth from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Dubuque. Burial will be held in St. Patrick's Cemetery in Epworth, Iowa.

Carol began her life on Feb. 17, 1942, in Monticello, Iowa, to her Irish father, Wilfred Kearney, and German mother, Mildred Kintzle. For reasons unexplained, she always felt the closest connection to the Irish in her. Those who knew her well often found themselves confronted with the truth of the Old Irish proverb “that which is closest to the heart is closest to the mouth.”

She spent her early years roaming the farm and timber land of Iowa, riding horses, and bossing around her seven siblings. Six of those siblings, Gary Kearney of Hazel Green, Wis., Shirley (George) Olberding of Dyersville, Wayne (Sharon) Kearney of Onslow, Rose (Barry) Cliff, of Dubuque, Lois (Bob) Klosterman of Denver, Colo., and Deb (Jeff) Rahe of Dubuque, survived her. Her youngest brother, Richard, preceded her in death, as did George.

Carol ultimately snagged herself a steady, loving German husband, Lee. Lee's brothers, Frank (Joyce) of Bankston, Celester (Betty) of Epworth, Jerome (Jean) of Cascade, and Loras (Lynn) of Dyersville; and sisters, Verna (Dennis Welte) of Sioux City, Marilyn (Pete Pirc) of Earlville, and Linda (Kirk Corbett) of Cedar Rapids, welcomed her with open arms. Betty, Lynn and Pete have preceded Carol in death.

Carol and Lee raised five children, Kelly Larson, Ron Rausch, Greg Rausch, Karla Vaske and Ryan Rausch, aka “the golden child.” While the “favored son” is a long-standing family joke, in truth, both Carol and Lee have loved and cherished all of their children in ways for which each one is forever grateful. One son, Randy, preceded Carol in death.

Throughout her life, Carol's care and concern for others could be witnessed not only in her treatment of family, but also in the many ways in which she gave back to the community. She served as an associate for the Sisters of the Presentation, volunteered at the Presentation Lantern Center, housed foster children with Lee, and served as a court appointed special advocate for youth. In 2001, Governor Vilsack recognized her with the Governor's Volunteer Award.

Carol's theory of life can be summed up in her frequent admonition to “be true to yourself.” At age 50, she pursued the college courses that the strictures of society had denied her in her youth. Classes in psychology and theology were followed by public speaking, writing, directing retreats and ultimately her proudest accomplishment: certification in spiritual direction from the Center for Spiritual Guidance in Minneapolis, at age 58.

Her final years were spent reveling in her 11 grandchildren. Her son. Ron and his wife. Molly have five children, Cameron, Caroline, Corryn, Chloe and Claire. Her daughter, Kelly and her husband, Darin have two, Lexi and Keaton. Karla and her husband, Todd similarly stopped at two, with Dylan and Samantha. Greg and his wife, Amy also have two children, McKenna and Jaden. Ryan remains uncommitted to the roller coaster of parenthood.

The darkest days survived by the family occurred five years ago when “that damn cancer” also claimed the life of Amy, at age 33. The family has high hopes that this favored daughter-in-law was there to welcome Carol to the other side.

Consistent with her lifelong concern for women's rights, Carol has requested that memorials be made to the Riverview Center or the Domestic Violence Shelter.

Carol and her family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Christian Schultheis, the nurses with Hospice of Dubuque, and Andrea Beacham for all of their care, love and support.

Published in The Gazette Jan. 11, 2012.