OBITUARY: Elsie Edvina Clara (Hinsman) Rachut, 1921-2005, Mitchell Co., Iowa

Web-posted: April 26, 2005  by www.mcpress.com (edited)



                      Elsie Edvina Clara Rachut

Funeral services for Elsie Edvina Clara Rachut, age 83, of Osage, Iowa,
were held Tuesday, April 26, 2005, at St. John's Lutheran Church, 1202
390th St., west of Osage, with Rev. Wayne Ellingson officiating.

Burial was in the St. John's Cemetery.  Elsie died Friday, April 22, 2005,
at Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Elsie was born May 19, 1921, in Rock Township, Mitchell County, the daughter
of Walter and Eleanora (Wilde) Hinsman. Elsie was baptized on June 5, 1921,
at her parent's home. She was confirmed on April 14, 1935, at St. John's
Lutheran Church, Rock Township. Elsie attended grade school at Rock No. 6
in Mitchell County. She attended Grafton High School, graduating in 1939
as valedictorian of her class. She was married to Wilmer Rachut on September
16, 1945. They farmed in the Osage and Fertile areas.

Wilmer passed away on September 22, 1969, as the result of an automobile
accident. Elsie and her family continued farming after his death.

Elsie was a life long member of St. John's Lutheran Church, where she was
a Sunday School teacher for 20 years, and taught Bible School for many years.
She was a member of WELCA, holding different offices throughout the years.
Elsie was the first woman elected to serve on the St. John's Church Board.
She also served on the Faith Lutheran Home Board, being the first woman
from her church to do so.  Elsie was honored to receive the Honorary
Chapter Farmer Award from the Osage F.F.A. She enjoyed gardening, flowers,
and making quilts, many of which were made for Lutheran World Relief and
other charities. Elsie retired to Osage in December of 1980.

Elsie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Wilmer in 1969;
three brothers-in-law: Oscar and Arthur Rachut, and John Pagel; and twin
great-grandsons Alex and Ryan Baardseth.

She is survived by three children Ronald Rachut and wife Becky of Mason
City; Marjorie Grundel and husband Dennis of St. Ansgar; and Dennis Rachut
and wife Joyce of Osage; six grandchildren, Michael Rachut, Deborah
Baardseth and husband Joel, Robert Grundel, Steven Rachut and fiance Beth
Mowrer, Kevin Rachut, and Rachel Rachut; two step-grandchildren: DeeDee
Mead and Laura Meyer; four great-grandchildren, Ellie and Ashton Baardseth,
and Marcus and Dominic Espinosa; a sister Rosie Pagel of St. Ansgar; a
sister-in-law Elsie R. Rachut of St. Ansgar; a niece Joyce (John) Westrum
and two nephews, Jerry (Donna) Rachut, Kenneth (Jean) Pagel.

Arrangements were made by Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage,
(641)732-3706.


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