Rauterkus, Russell Raymond (1955 - 2024)

RAUTERKUS, CHAUDHURI, GARNER, BRAHMER, COENEN, SCHWARTZ, JOHNSON, SCHABEN, BRADLEY, KUNERT

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 8/31/2024 at 15:04:10

Name of deceased: Russell Raymond Rauterkus

Aged: 69 yrs, 1 mo, 15 days

Residence: Harlan, IA

Born: June 15, 1955; Myrtue Medical Hospital, Harlan, Shelby County, IA.

Died: July 30, 2024; Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Funeral services: Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024; St. Michael's Catholic Church, Harlan, IA; burial was in the Harlan Cemetery, Harlan, IA

Survived by: Wife of 47 years, Diana Rauterkus of Harlan, IA; son, Austin (spouse, Nina nee Chaudhuri) Rauterkus, and their children, Oscar and Ziggy of Brooklyn, NY; daughter, Sondra (spouse, Drew) Garner, and their children, Scarlett and Bowen of Overland Park, KS; son, Warren and his daughter, Adeline Rauterkus of San Diego, CA; and son, Garrett (spouse, Brigit nee Brahmer) Rauterkus, and their children, Corynne, Raegan, and Maggie of Overland Park, KS; mother, Marilyn Catherine (nee Coenen) Rauterkus; brother, Jerry (spouse, Delana) Rauterkus, and their children, Jake (spouse, Nicolette) Rauterkus and Josh (spouse, Jamie) Rauterkus; brother, Tim Rauterkus; brother, Terry (spouse, Jeannie) Rauterkus and their children, Colt, Rebel, and Wyatt; sister, Nancy Rauterkus and her daughter, Reid (spouse, Eric) Johnson; brother, Bill (spouse, Ann) Rauterkus, and their children, Walter (spouse, Megan) Rauterkus and Rachel Rauterkus (fiancé, Alex Schwartz); mother-in-law, Louann (nee Smith) Schaben; brother-in-law, Cal (spouse, Elaine) Bradley, and their children, Ryan (spouse, Kara) Bradley, and their children, Mason, Taylor and Chase Bradley; brother-in-law, David (spouse, Tyla) Bradley and their children, Taran Bradley and Dakota Bradley (fiancé, Alexi Kunert); other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Father, Walter Lawrence Rauterkus

Education: Graduated from Woodbine (IA) Community High School, Class of 1973; in 1994, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from lowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, IA.

Religious affiliation: no information provided

Military service: no information provided

Marriage: Diana Bradley; June 3, 1977; Missouri Valley, Pottawattamie County, IA

Employment: Enjoyed helping his dad with the farm up until his dad’s retirement; after his high school graduation, he began working for Ma Bell as an Information Operator. In 1974, he decided to follow his dream and continue his education towards operating a motorcycle repair service at the college, Pikens Technical College, Aurora, CO. After receiving his certification, he moved to Imperial, NE and worked for a family friend driving a semi. In 1975, he returned to lowa and became a section hand for The Milwaukee Road Railway; he was there until the railroad filed for bankruptcy in 1980, and then he was employed at a Honda Shop in Denison, IA. Other companies he worked for were Selecta Masonry, Mormon Seeds, and Triple F Feeds, until he found the ultimate job of being a Sales Manager at Jacobs Corporation in Harlan, IA, where he worked for 36 years. In 2005, he became a partial owner/member of the Logan Quarry Corporation, Manchester, IA.

Hobbies/Interests: In 1972 he became a Charter Member of the Hill Blazers, a motorcycle club. He was a life-time member of the Hill Blazers Motorcycle Club, and served as the vice president and president in the early to mid-1980's. He was actively involved working at the hill climbs and hare scrambles that the Hill Blazers sponsored and held at the Logan Quarry. During his younger years he participated in multiple Enduros. One of his proudest moments was in 1986 when he placed 3rd in the C Class at the Stratford Enduro. He enjoyed joining his neighbors Zach Klaassen and Dave Monson for a beer or 3 after they finished mowing their lawns. He enjoyed going on a mushroom hunt with his pal, Rob Hall. He spent his weekends and vacations riding dirt bikes, bicycling, camping, boating, and playing cards with his children. He loved his grandchildren, playing fun games with them and treating them with ice cream.

Sources: knodfm.com; pauleyjones.com