Obituaries for Monday December 28th

Ruby Jean Steck, age 102, of Carman, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab in Stronghurst. She was born November 23, 1918 at home, near Carman, the daughter of Fred and Emma Siegworth Dannenberg. She was married to George Franklin Steck. He preceded her in death in January of 1959.

Ruby grew up on a close knit family farm with her parents, siblings, and two significant uncles, Louie and Bill Dannenberg. She attended Carman Grade School and graduated from Stronghurst High School in 1935. In 1937, she graduated from Western Illinois State Teachers College with an Associate degree in teaching. She later returned and received her Bachelor degree in 1969.

Ruby taught in rural schools in Cass County, Illinois, Stronghurst, Raritan, Smithshire, Media, and in the Grimes and Salter Elementary Schools in Burlington, Iowa. An elementary teacher for forty years, Ruby stated “ each child is unique. Educating the mind without a heart, is no education at all.”

She was a 4-H leader, a member of the Carman United Church, two card clubs, and was active in the Henderson County Republican Women. She was a talented seamstress, and in her younger years, loved dancing to the big band era of Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, and singer Bing Crosby.

Survivors include two daughters; Peggy (Donald) Latherow of Fountain Green, IL, Jean Ann Steck of Carman, two sons; Fred (Kerri) Steck and William (Brenda) Steck, both of Carman, five grandchildren; Megan (Michael) Moser, and Maria, Catie, Abby, and John Steck, and four great grandsons; Clifford, Michael, Reid, and Max Moser. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one grandson; Dannen Latherow, three brothers; Walter, John and Charles L., and two sisters; Helen and Marguerite.

Private family graveside services will be held Monday, December 28, 2020 in the Carman Cemetery, with Pastor Lisa Unger officiating. Friends may call as they desire from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m. Sunday at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst. A memorial fund has been established for Oak Lane Nursing and Rehab in Stronghurst. Please visit Ruby’s obituary at banksandbeals.com to sign the guest book and leave a condolence.

Doris Wagner Nelson, 88, of Mediapolis passed away on Thursday, December 24, 2020 at the Great River Hospice House. Private Memorial Mass for Doris’ family will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Dodgeville. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Dodgeville. Memorials have been established for the Alzheimer’s Association of Iowa or a scholarship through Southeastern Community College for a nontraditional student in Doris’ name. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com. Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Mediapolis are caring for Doris’ arrangements and her family.

Doris Meryle Wagner was born on June 29, 1932 in Burlington, Iowa, the daughter of Homer and Mildred (Helton) Wagner. Doris was a graduate of Burlington High School and later graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College with her teaching degree. In 1951, Doris was united in marriage to Melvin Nelson in Dodgeville. Doris was a member of Dodgeville Catholic Church, Golden Agers, Red Hats and NEA. In her younger years Doris was very active in 4-H having many projects win awards and go on to the State Fair. She enjoyed sewing, baking, cooking, gardening, quilting, bird watching, hummingbirds and was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan.

Doris will be deeply missed by her children, Chris (Gary) Kupferschmid of Mediapolis, Randy (Sue) Nelson of Sperry and Steve (Tracy) Nelson of Mediapolis; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; son, Tom Nelson; infant daughter, Carol Kay Nelson and siblings, Dale Wagner, Doreen Stolze and Donna Woehrle.

Cathleen “Cathy” F. Rauhaus, 65, of Mediapolis, passed away on Saturday, December 26, 2020, at her home in Mediapolis. Visitation will be 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremations Services of Mediapolis. Burial will be in the Kossuth Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the Round Prairie Baptist Church building fund in memory of Cathy. Online condolences may be sent to sandhfuneralservice.com.

Cathleen Frances Rauhaus was born on April 12, 1955, in Burlington, Iowa the daughter of Charles “Charlie” and Marge (Brown) Wilson. She was a 1973 graduate of Mediapolis High School. On August 3, 1974, Cathy was united in marriage to David Lee Rauhaus in Mediapolis. She was a homemaker. Cathy was a member of the Round Prairie Baptist Church and enjoyed quilting and sewing, watching birds, cardinals being her favorite. Most of all, she dearly loved to spend time with her family, especially the grandchildren.

Cathy will be deeply missed by her husband, David of Mediapolis; her children, Ryan Lee (Annie) Rauhaus of Petosky, Michigan, Michael Ray (Marci) Rauhaus of Washington and Andrea Nicole (Evan) Gansemer of Dubuque; 14 grandchildren, Abigail, Ashley, Isaac, Audrey, Isaiah, Janessa, Jaleana, Jalissa, Katelyn (Zech), Jacob, Zachary, Matthew, Drew and Natalie; mother, Marge Wilson of Burlington; and siblings, twin sister, Chris (Brent) Nelson of Gladstone, Illinois, Shelly (Kirby) Parsons of Dodgeville, Mark (Julie) Wilson of Burlington, Denny Wilson of Burlington and Connie (Roger) Ammon of Burlington.

Cathy was preceded in death by her father.