Mary Ellen Rauenhorst
Mary Ellen “Tutu” Rauenhorst, 92, of Olivia, MN, died Saturday, April 27th at the Olivia Hospital, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Her Mass of Christian Burial was held on May 2nd at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Olivia. Funeral arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. www.hafh.org
Memorials may be given to Renville County Walk in the Park, PO Box 63, Olivia, MN 56277 for Cancer Survivors.
Mary Ellen was born June 29, 1931, in St. Peter, MN, the daughter of Alan Peter and Mary Eileen (O’Brien) Mans. She grew up in St. Peter and graduated from St. Peter High School in 1949 where she earned the 1st Varsity Letter as a woman in swimming. Following high school, Mary Ellen attended nursing school and graduated from St. Catherines School of Nursing.
On September 29, 1952, she was united in marriage to Robert “Bob” Rauenhorst in St. Peter, to this union six daughters were born, Mary, Barbara, Julia, Renee, Paula, and Sara. They lived in Olivia where they raised their daughters. Robert died on July 12, 1978. Mary Ellen continued living in Olivia while also living on Maui for many years. Maui was Mary Ellen’s favorite place on earth, she spent much of her time on Keawekapu Beach, where she swam a mile-a-day, and was an avid beach walker. She was a beloved member of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church Choir in Kihei.
She enjoyed all sports and was a devoted MN Timberwolves and Vikings fan. Mary Ellen was an avid gardener, reader, and golfer. She was admired within her community for her lovely gardens. Another passion of Mary Ellen’s was the creative arts: she was a talented decorator, embroider, painter, and she loved to color. Mary Ellen was full of gratitude; watching a beautiful sunset, migrating birds, the four seasons and her love of animals. You would find her happiest outside with a glass of wine delighting in all of God’s gifts.
Surviving are her daughters, Mary (Greg) McLaughlin of Lake Geneva, WI; Barbara Cipro of Haiku, HI; Renee (Ken) Dooner of Bird Island, Paula (Ricci) Borba of Anaheim, CA; and Sara (Tom) Maher of Olivia; 13 grandchildren, Robert, Maggie, Francesca, Christina, Rebecca, Samantha, Lizanne, Gabrielle, Andre, Olivia, Andrea, Drew and Anthony, and 13 great grandchildren. Also surviving is her brother, Jim (Jan) Mans of Brainerd.
In addition to her husband, Bob, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Julia Rauenhorst Vogt, and two sisters Colleen Howard and Monica Nyblom.