Maureen Anne Rauschert Obituary

Maureen passed away Wednesday, January 22, at New Hope Bay Assisted Living in Bay City. She was 76 years old. Maureen Anne McDonald was born on April 26, 1948, to the late Allan and Bernice (Folcik) McDonald. Growing up on the family farm, she helped her parents in a number of ways. It was there that she learned to cook, garden and can vegetables. Images of her red-stained fingertips remind her family of the tens of thousands of raspberries she picked and made into jam throughout her lifetime. Maureen graduated from T.L. Handy High School in 1966.

She married Melvin Rauschert on May 19, 1973, celebrating 50 years together in 2023. She worked in the office for Garber Buick on Euclid Ave. in Bay City until her children were born. When they entered school, Maureen volunteered as a room mother and librarian at St. Anthony and Trinity Monitor. When her kids entered high school, she was a key contributor to Western's Booster Club, often coordinating and working concessions for football games, bingo nights and other events. Many of her co-workers became lifetime friends.

An accomplished seamstress, she taught sewing and knitting to the 4H Club in Auburn for several years. She crafted many outfits and Halloween costumes for her kids and others. After the kids graduated, she worked has a waitress at Pat & Jerry's Restaurant in Auburn and volunteered as an election worker for Monitor Township. She enjoyed the camaraderie with fellow volunteers and the voters. Maureen enjoyed photography, documenting every family event. This could be witnessed by the numerous photo albums you can page through at her home, and the genealogy project she took great pride in creating.

She looked forward to every McDonald Christmas Party and family reunion. She loved watching the Game Show Network but couldn't stomach "Press Your Luck.". She also was a huge fan of crime dramas and the Food Network. Most of all, she enjoyed get-togethers at her house for birthdays and holidays. She was a faithful member of St. Gabriel Parish in Auburn. Maureen is survived by children: Jeff (Jennifer) Rauschert of Saginaw, Beth Rauschert of Bay City and Eric (Carrie) Rauschert of Auburn; her grandchildren who she adored: Tiffany (Tristen), Douglas (Chloe), Emily (Camron), Ethan, Carter, Justin and Karissa; great-grandchildren: Declan, and Ryker; and sisters Corinne Netzley and Colleen (Alva) Swearengin.

She was preceded in death by her husband Melvin, her parents Allan and Bernice, her mother-in-law and father-in-law Elna and Erwin Rauschert, and her brother-in-law Dan Netzley. A funeral service for Maureen will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at St. Gabriel Parish (St. Joseph Campus), 84 W. Midland Road, Auburn 48611. Father Patrick O'Connor will officiate. Family and friends are welcome to visit at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Private burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Kawkawlin.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Rivertown Funeral Chapel. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Transitions Hospice, New Hope Bay and her special caregiver Ray Clark. Memorial cards for Transitions Hospice or St. Gabriel Parish will be available at the church.