SAN BENITO, TX. - Irene Adelaide Rause

Born in Roscoe, South Dakota on October 12, 1910 to Adelaide and Reverend August Bartz, died peacefully in Harlingen, Texas on July 3, 2008.

She attended Saint John Lutheran Church in San Benito. Her father was a Lutheran minister in Waukegan, Illinois where she was often soloist and organist in the church during her younger years. She graduated from Valparaiso University and was an elementary school teacher and principal in the Lake Bluff and Great Lakes, Illinois school systems until she retired. She lived in Lake Bluff, Illinois for over fifty years, moving to San Benito in 1997. She resided alone in her home, taking care of her garden and remaining active until her death.

She was dearly loved by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer D. Rause.

She is survived by her brother, Gerald Bartz of Weslaco, a nephew, Randall P. Crane of San Benito, three other nephews; Timothy Bartz, Stephen Bartz and Frank Thompson, and three nieces, Victoria Wilman, Kathryn Weaver and Lynn Bartz.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 6 at 1 PM at the Saint John Lutheran Church in San Benito, Texas.

She will be laid to rest in Fort Worth, Texas at a later date.

Sign the guestbook at www.valleystar.com.