Janet Rae Rausch

Janet Rae Rausch, 71, joined our loving God on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Boerne, Texas.  Janet was a long-time resident of Abilene, Texas, where she lived and worked for over 33 years.  Janet loved God and her church where she drew her strength and foundation for life.

Janet was born on September 16, 1946 at 6:42 a.m. in Le Mars, Iowa to Dorothy and Wayne Brown.  She grew up in Brunsville, Iowa and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree from Westmar College in Le Mars, Iowa.  Janet was a “local celebrity” of sorts in Le Mars, where she was voted homecoming queen in high school and college, was a cheerleader in college, and was a star employee during her schooling at the local Dairy Queen. 

Janet was a loving mother to three children, Shaelly Beth, Michelle Dawn, and David Scott Rausch.  She was a proud grandmother to Shaelly Grace and Jack Andrew Holcomb.  While she cared for and loved her biological children and grandchildren, she was a mother figure to hundreds of children she encountered in her life.  Her home was warmly noted as the “hang out spot” for neighborhood children where she would cook and care for them. 

Janet was a gift-giver.  She loved to offer gifts to those around her and got great satisfaction in finding the perfect gift for friends and family.   Janet was the physical education teacher at Dyess Elementary for over 32 years and positively impacted and changed the lives of thousands of young minds during her tenure there.  She developed beautiful, life-long friendships with her colleagues at Dyess Elementary and was a friend to all she worked with.

Janet was strong, she was a fighter, and she fought her health battles with grace and dignity.  She taught her family and those around her the skill of having fun, having faith, and never giving up. 

Janet joins in Heaven her daughter, Shaelly Beth Rausch, her parents Wayne and Dorothy Brown, her brother-in-law, Johnny Johnson. 

Janet is survived by Michelle Holcomb, daughter, David Rausch, son, Richard Holcomb, son-in-law, Shaelly Grace Holcomb, granddaughter, Jack Holcomb, grandson, Frank Rausch, lifetime friend, Jim Brown, twin brother, Carol Johnson, sister, Mark Brown, brother.  Matthew Johnson, nephew, Kathryn Johnson, niece, Christina Foster, niece, Jeffrey Brown, nephew, Myla Brown, niece, Mara Brown, niece. 

Visitation will be held at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene on Friday, May 4, 2018 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at Zion Lutheran Church, where she was a member for many years.  Pastor Clyde Kieschnick will officiate. Burial will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park.   

Memorials may be given to the Janet Rae Rausch Endowed Scholarship Fund, at Hardin-Simmons University, Box 16100, Abilene, Texas 79698.  This scholarship will provide students in the education department, majoring in physical education, the opportunity for financial assistance with tuition expenses during their student teaching educational experience.