Jennie Menart Rauh - Stewartville

Jennie Menart Rauh, 95, of Gilbert and Stewartville, passed away with family by her side, on Thursday, April 19, 2012, at the Stewartville Care Center, where she was a resident for one and a half years.

Jennie was born Oct. 21, 1916, in McKinley, to John and Johanna (Nevada) Menart, where she lived on the family farm. She graduated from Gilbert High School. Jennie was a WWII veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Women's Reserve, stationed in Washington, D.C.  She rose to the rank of Sergeant while she worked at the Pentagon. Jennie married Joseph J. Rauh Sr. on March 10, 1944, in Aurora. They made their home in Gilbert, where they raised their three children.  

Jennie was a devoted mother and homemaker. and later was employed at the Cluett and Peabody Shirt Factory. Mr. Rauh was a warehouse supervisor at Erie Mining Co. in White Lakes, for many years.

Jennie was an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Gilbert, as well as the Catholic Women's Council. She enjoyed flowers and working in her garden, loved animals, and had a special bond with her pets. Jennie was an avid walker, choosing to walk to perform her errands around town. She also loved to read books, often walking to a park to sit on a bench under a shady tree to read.

Jennie showered her family with love, often in the form of wonderful cooked meals and baked treats. She always enjoyed talking to her children, grandchildren, extended family and friends, and also shared her love by sending beautifully written letters.

Jennie moved to Stewartville after her husband passed away in 1995 to live near family.  She resided at the Downtowner II Senior Citizen Apartment Building. She was a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church and made many friends throughout the community during the 17 years she lived in Stewartville.

Jennie is survived by her three children, Joseph Jr. (Mary) of Stewartville, Susan Znameroski of Minnetonka and Mary Jane (Neil) Kunycky of Marlborough, Mass.; seven grandchildren, Steven Rauh and Stacy (Luke) Harter, Elizabeth (Felicia Ortiz) Znameroski and David (Nicole Cooper) Znameroski and Christina, Brianna and Alexander Kunycky; and great-granddaughter, Emily Harter.

Jennie was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; her parents; her two brothers, John and Louis Menart; her son-in-law, Michael Znameroski; and her beloved cat, Buddy.

A Mass of Celebration will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 28, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Stewartville, with Rev. Matt Fasnacht officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, April 27, at Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday morning. Burial will take place at Ft. Snelling Cemetery in Bloomington the following week.

In lieu of flowers, Jennie wished that memorials in her name be made to either the Stewartville or Gilbert Public Libraries.

Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. www.griffin-gray.com