Harold Rauch, age 82, of Wolf Point passed away Saturday, July 16, doing what he loved best, north of Wolf Point.
Harold was born to Martin and Eva (Berg) Rauch, January 11, 1929 in Anna Baker’s house on the farm north of Wolf Point, Montana. He grew up on the family farm taking part in 4-H, raising chickens, lambs and gardening. When he was a young boy helped with the haying. He rode horses and grew to love cows. He attended Victory school through his grade school years, except one year at Volt school. He was baptized in a creek upon his confession of faith, by Rev. D. A. Regier and received into membership in the Lustre E.M.B. Church on September 14, 1941. He then attended Lustre Bible School, graduating March 20, 1945. He was the photographer for their first yearbook, The Student Echoes. He went to high school in Wolf Point graduating in 1949. He played football and basketball. He also took lots of pictures for their yearbook. He went on to Northern Montana College studying Industrial Arts and Carpentry, before later going on to build a great many houses on the north side of Wolf Point. During the winters he did remodeling for a number of years.
On August 18, 1961, he and his daughter Karyl married Norma Buschman after some matchmaking by her grandmother. He was preparing to celebrate his fiftieth wedding anniversary. Those fifty years made many wonderful memories farming, ranching, and carpentry work. He was president of the County Farm Bureau, and served on the Wolf Point City Council for twelve years.
He was a fifty year member of the Gospel Fellowship Church, serving on the church board, teaching Sunday School for Junior High, High School, and Senior Adults. He also participated in AWANA for a number of years. He was the head carpenter when the church added the sanctuary.
He loved haying and raised lots of dry land and irrigated hay. He loved working with the cattle. He raised superior beef and sold it by the half or quarter to many loyal customers over the years. One of his greatest delights was the opportunity of a lifetime, to participate in the Great Centennial Trail Drive of 1989.
They had a large garden every year and enjoyed the abundant produce.
He was blessed with two grandchildren. They were taught about the cows and farm work. He especially liked to teach them to drive and they all enjoyed the 4-wheeler. He taught them to help with the garden and many Fridays he helped get produce ready for the farmer’s market. He was pleased to attend the graduation of his oldest grandchild, Michaeline, from Millar College of the Bible and was proud of her subsequent involvement in full-time youth ministry in Canada. He enjoyed attending many of the school activities of his youngest grandchild, Geneva.
He had a long and healthy life with very few health issues up until the last year. His daughter used to brag about how he would throw around an eighty pound alfalfa bale with two fingers while feeding cows.
He is survived by his wife, Norma of Wolf Point; daughter Karyl Rauch of Wolf Point; granddaughters, Michaeline of Canada and Geneva of Wolf Point; sisters Rose Rauch, Ruth Rauch, and Hulda Schmidt of Lustre; many nieces and nephews; very special cousins David and Donna Pankratz, and family Diane, Levi, Judy, and Mark.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Eva (Berg) Rauch; and brothers, Jacob, Herb, and Albert Rauch.
Family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday, July 21 at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Friday, July 22 at the Gospel Fellowship Church in Wolf Point. Interment will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery in Wolf Point.
Memorials can be sent to Joe’s Place Youth Outreach, 402 Main Street North, Moose Jaw, SK, Canada S6H 3K2.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Heather Moon says
I got to know Harold as the county appraiser. He was always friendly and had a smile for me wherever we might meet. His in depth knowledge of farming was amazing.
Gail Flesch Green says
I always enjoyed talking with Harold. He was a kind and thoughtful man.
Michael Sweeney says
“Harold was like a father to me and I have fond memories of him!
Michael”