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The Life of MERRILL EUGENE RAUCH

Merrill Eugene “Tom” Rauch was born in rural Decatur County on August 23, 1923. He was one of nine children born to Clyde and Alice Rauch. He passed on September 12, 2013 at his home. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Arline, parents, daughter, Susan (Pedro) Martinez, daughter-in-law, Lillian Rauch, grandson, Zachary Rauch, sisters, Opal (Toddy) Bullington, Edna (Dove) Lamb, Elva (Roy) Rohde, Audie (Max) Bear, and Frances (Ralph) Sage, and brothers, Lowell (Blanche) Rauch, Wayne (Jean) Rauch, and Harold (Jane) Rauch. Merrill grew up on a farm near Decatur City, Iowa and graduated from Hill School. In January 1942, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He attended diesel school in Ames, Iowa and Detroit, Michigan. During World War II, he was assigned to an LCI troop carrier and was stationed in England. On D-Day, his LCI carried troops across the English Channel to the beaches in Normandy, France. Merrill was discharged from the Navy in February 1946. While growing up, Merrill learned to play the guitar and would play during local barn dances. At a barn dance in Leon, he met the love of his life, Arline Hill. They were married on October 11, 1945. After Merrill was discharged from the United States Navy, they located in Des Moines, Iowa. They had three children, Chester (Patricia), Ronald (Lillian), and Susan (Pedro) Martinez. Merrill went to work for Firestone Tire and Rubber in 1946 and retired after 39 years in 1985. He was a loyal union member who endured several long strikes to gain well deserved benefits. To their credit, Bridgestone Firestone has kept their promises to him during his retirement. Merrill learned how to trap small game while growing up and later in life became an avid pheasant and quail hunter. Merrill found tranquility while working in a large garden that the family tended. Over the years, he helped Arline can hundreds of quarts of green beans, tomatoes, and peppers. He was an excellent mechanic and spent many hours repairing mowers and cars. He liked to travel and visit friends, relatives, and sights of interest. Later in life, he would spend part of his mornings reading the daily paper and evenings watching baseball or football on TV. Merrill loved his family deeply and was always there when needed. Merrill is survived by two sons, Chester (Patricia) and Ronald, and four grandchildren, Chris (Jill) Rauch, Tim Rauch, Nicole (Armel) Traore dit Nignan, and Eric Rauch. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Katie Oakes, Christa Rauch, and Zachary Rauch, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue in Des Moines, with burial to follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

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2013.09.17
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