Vera Raschke

Vera Hilda Bertha Anna Raschke…

was born to Henry and Frieda (Warnke) Dreessen on December 2, 1916 on the family farm in Sweet Township of Pipestone County, Minnesota where she was raised and lived with her parents. She attended country school in District No. 35 through the eighth grade. She then continued her education at Pipestone High School, graduating in 1936. On June 16, 1940, she was united in marriage to Elmer Raschke at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone. Following their marriage, they farmed in Elmer Township of Pipestone County for 21 years. After Elmer was severely injured in a power take–off accident in 1953, they both decided to discontinue farming. In 1961, they had their farm sale and moved into Pipestone. Shortly after moving into town, Vera began working at Remme’s Caf and also The Hiawatha Grill. On July 1, 1965, she became employed as a dietary aid at the Pipestone County Medical Center. She worked there for over 16 years until her retirement in 1981. Elmer preceded her in death on March 1, 2000. After his death, she continued to live at home until March 30, 2013 when she entered the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone where she died on Monday, April 8, 2013, Vera died at the age of 96 years, four months and six days.

Vera was baptized at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone on September 17, 1918 and confirmed there on March 29, 1931. Since 1940, she has been a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Jasper, Minnesota. While living on the farm, Vera loved to sew her own clothing. She also spent a lot of time cooking and baking.

She is lovingly remembered by her son, Roger Raschke of Pipestone, Minnesota; and numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Elmer; her parents; two sisters, Orphie Stillwell and Arline Baden; and one brother, Marvin Dreessen.