Betty Louise (Jones) Raasch

Betty Raasch, age 93, of Cyrus, and formerly of Glenwood, died Thursday, October 24, 2019, at home surrounded by family. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, October 28th, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cyrus, with Pastor Chris Richards officiating. Visitation will be at the church, one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be in Glenwood Lutheran Cemetery in Glenwood. Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood.

Betty Louise Jones was born in Jackson, MN on March 30, 1926, to George A. and Tillie (Weigold) Jones. She attended school in Jackson and graduated from Jackson High School in 1944. On November 25, 1945, she married Lowell W. Raasch, a high school classmate. The couple lived in Worthington and Reading before moving their family to a farm near Benson, MN, where they farmed until 1974.

After Betty and Lowell retired from farming, they moved to Glenwood, and in later years they also lived in Dassel and Cyrus. Lowell died in 2012, at the age of 85. Betty continued to reside in Cyrus until the time of her death.

Betty was a devoted mother; her nine children always came first. She also took an active part in the family farming operation, driving trucks, combines, tractors, milking cows, doing chores, in addition to caring for her children. Betty was also an accomplished seamstress. She worked nights at Fingerhut and was part owner of Draperies Plus. She took great pride in the quilts she made and blessed each of her children with their own specially created quilt.

Later, Betty worked with under-privileged families through the University of Minnesota Expanded Food and Nutrition Program for 10 years. She also obtained her Realtor’s license and was a respected realtor, selling for several local agencies, including Century 21 and Strecker Agency. Betty enjoyed gardening, preserving foods, and was a wonderful cook. For a time, she put her culinary skills to work as a line cook, and later co-manager, at Cannonball Kitchen in Glenwood.

Betty’s greatest pride and accomplishment was her family; being a loving, protective and supportive mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She died at home on Thursday, October 24, 2019, in the loving care of her family. As Betty begins her new life in Heaven, she will be forever loved and missed by her family and friends.

Survivors include her 8 children and their spouses: Thandeka Eliza Raasch, Garrett and Eva Raasch, Lorraine Moloi, Clinton and Madeline Raasch, Eldon and Linnea Raasch, Carol VanderWeyst, Marvin and Susan Raasch, Arlen Raasch, and LeAnn Santana; 14 treasured grandchildren, Lindi Wee Chehab, Paul Raasch, Robin Garnett, Wendy Saggesse, Beckki Weaver, Ben and Eric Raasch, Jessica, Jeremy and Jason Raasch, Christina Rogel, Emmy Santana, and Tiffany and Ashley Smith, along with numerous great-grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren. Others who will forever remember Betty include her sisters, Cleo (Tom) Ling and Etta (David) Schroeder; her husband’s nephew, Steve Heise and niece, Cathy Krogstad and their families, as well as other family members and friends who were all precious to Betty.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lowell; two sisters, Arlene Dodd and Donna Kanuch; her son, Leslie Raasch; a grandson, Eugene “Tony” Raasch; and great-grandson Ali Chehab.

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