William "Sam" Rauscher

William A. Rauscher “Sam”, age 93 passed away peacefully at home from Leukemia on November 12, 2020 with his family by his side under the care of Saint Croix Hospice. He was born at home in Bloomer to John J. Rauscher and Regina (Konechney) Rauscher. He attended Saint Paul’s Catholic Parochial School and graduated from Bloomer High School. Sam married Nona B. (Hodgson) Rauscher on October 10, 1953. They were together for 67 years. Sam served in the US Army during World War II & Korean conflict, where he became a two stripe corporal in charge of a unit guarding prisoners of war. He served in the 86th Infantry Division in Luzon, Philippine Islands and belonged to VFW Post 6175 and American Legion Post 295.
After his time in the Army he returned to Bloomer, before taking a job in Tomah as a police officer for 2 years. He later worked at Phoenix Steel in Eau Claire and then worked for the City of Bloomer driving garbage truck and being a part-time Police Officer before transitioning to the electric department. He attended trade school to learn to be an electrician before becoming the Superintendent of the electrical department. Sam helped build many of the lighted Christmas decorations that are still displayed throughout downtown Bloomer. He was especially fond of the Rudolph decoration. He retired at age 72 having worked for the City of Bloomer for 48 years.
Sam was the first lay person to lead Catholic Mass at St Paul’s Catholic Church and volunteered announcing the Bloomer home football games for 48 years. In his younger years, Sam enjoyed taking his family camping at Shell Lake, Wind Fall Lake & Devils Lake with in-laws Jean & Har Rogers. He also spent many days swimming & fishing up at Beaver Lake at his sister Lorraine & Loren Haugen’s cabin. Sam wasn’t a hunter, but he was known as the camp cook up north with the Seibel boys & Clayton Boese family. He appreciated all his good neighbors, friends and his group of friends from the Bohemian Oven. The most important thing in Sam’s life was his wife, daughters, grand-daughters, great grand-children and his cat Mooshy, they all gave him great joy.
He was preceded in death by: parents: John J. Rauscher and Regina “Minnie” (Konechney) Rauscher;
siblings: Robert (LaVina) Rauscher, John Jr. (Nancy) Rauscher, Francis “Fran” (Shirley) Rauscher, Margaret (Roger) Ludvigson, Helen (Roger) Lebeis, Mary Rauscher, Lorena “Lorraine” (Loren) Haugen & Evelyn Rauscher; twin infant sons & three infant daughters’
He is survived by his Wife: Nona Rauscher; daughters: Debra (Brad) Humboldt, Kimberly (Steve) Butterfield, Joan (Ron Hager) Rauscher; grandchildren: Kelly Pollock, Kerry Rauscher, Bridget Butterfield, Samantha (Mike) King and eight great-grandchildren.
Due to current restrictions private services will be held at a later date with Military Honors by the Bloomer American Legion and VFW. Olson Funeral Home in Bloomer is assisting the family.