RAUERT: Otto August
Feb. 13, 1924 - May 22, 2013
It is with profound sadness that the family of Mr. Otto Rauert of Humboldt, SK (formerly of St. Gregor, SK) announces his sudden and unexpected death which occurred on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at Humboldt District Hospital in Humboldt. He was 89 years of age. Otto was born February 13, 1924 in Nutteln, Germany. He spent his early years with his parents and Grandmother. At the age of 17 he was drafted into the army during World War II. In 1952, he immigrated to Canada initially working on farms in Muenster and St. Gregor. In late 1955 he moved to Ocean Falls, BC and worked in a paper mill. A year later on a holiday back to Germany he met the love of his life, Maria. They married in 1957. While Maria was waiting for immigration papers, Otto returned to Canada and worked as a millwright in Kittimat, BC. In 1958 Maria arrived in Vancouver where they had a wonderful second honeymoon. Otto briefly worked in a lumberyard until 1959 when they came to St. Gregor, farming both grain and livestock. Their marriage was blessed with three daughters and two sons which made their family complete. They enjoyed many family and community activities such as dancing at the Silver Dome, annual summer vacations in Waskesui and travelling abroad. Otto enjoyed sports such as soccer, hunting, curling and golfing. In 1984 he and Maria designed and built their retirement home in Humboldt. He was very active at the senior citizens center, the coffee club and with the church choir. Otto's integrity, adventurous spirit, welcoming nature and contagious laughter will live on in our hearts. Otto will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 56 years, Maria (nee Vaske) Rauert of Humboldt along with their children and families: (Doris t Feb. 10. 2013) Kevin Bunz of North Battleford, Chris, Shawna (Lincoln) Ramsay and Dayna; Linda Rauert (Tim Boechler) of Saskatoon; Brenda (Dion) Engele of Saskatoon, Kara (Kris Gebkenjans), Raeann and Barret; Andrew (Deanna) Rauert of St. Gregor, Marli (James) Bells, Brennan, Erin and her daughter Summer; David (Lisa) Rauert of Regina, Kayla, Megan and Hannah. He is survived by his sister Paula Vaske, brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, all of Germany. Otto was predeceased by his daughter Doris, parents Theodor and Bertha Rauert; brothers Theo and Josef Rauert; Uncle August Rauert; and other relatives in Germany. A Prayer Service for Otto was held at St. Augustine R.C. Church in Humboldt on Sunday, May 26, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. led by Walter Sarauer and organist Kathy Phillips. Duet sung by Shawna Ramsay and Dayna Bunz. Scripture readers were Chris Bunz and Brennan Rauert and the eulogy was delivered by Marli Bells and Andrew Rauert. The Funeral Mass was offered on Monday, May 27, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., concelebrated by Fr. Gregory Roth and Fr. Rudolph Novecosky, OSB. Others taking part were: Erin Rauert, crossbearer; Marli Bells and Raeann Engele, scripture readers; Kara Engele, intentions; Dayna Bunz and Barret Engele, giftbearers; Kayla Rauert and Megan Rauert, memorial table attendants; Kevin Bunz, Chris Bunz, Brennan Rauert, Barret Engele, Lincoln Ramsay, James Bells, active pallbearers; St. Augustine Parish Funeral Choir and duet by Shawna Ramsay and Dayna Bunz, music ministry. Honorary pallbearers were "all those who shared in Otto's life". Interment followed at St. Augustine R.C. Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to either Humboldt District Hospital Foundation or the St. Augustine Parish Building Fund. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.