Helen Stella, Rauk

Helen Stella Rauk, nee Dashney, 98, of longtime resident of Belleville, IL, born Sunday, January 30, 1921, in East St. Louis, IL, passed away peacefully Thursday, May 23, 2019 at The Colonnade Senior Living in O’Fallon, IL.

Helen was employed as a Book Keeper for Eastside Tool and Die. She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church, St. Ann’s Sodailty, Bellcomers Card Club, Even Dozen, Kappa Tau Soroity, and Quilters of Blessed Sacrament Church. She and Rocky would spend countless Friday or Saturday nights attending dances. She enjoyed playing cards with many friends at numerous functions. Upon Rocky’s retirement, her passion turned to traveling around the country in an RV. She created numerous travel journals filled with photos, postcards, and colorful brochures. Her collection of small knickknacks, representing each of the 48 states visited, was proudly displayed in a large shadow box.

Her proudest moments were those of raising her sons. She was the emotional backbone of the family. She supported our dreams, often with sacrifices we would never know. Our adulthood was shaped by her examples of honesty, respect, and most of all, love.

She touched the hearts of grandchildren and great grandchildren and helped complete the circle of love.

She was preceded in death by her:

• Husband of 49 years: Lloyd “Rocky” Rauk
• Parents: Andrew and Sophie Dashney
• Brother: Lee Dashney

Surviving are her:

• 3 sons
  • Kenneth R. (Holly) Rauk of Freeburg, IL
  • Richard (Linda) Rauk of Joplin, MO
  • David (Jan) Rauk of Moscow, ID
• 7 grandchildren
  • Lisa (Hank) Salyer
  • John (Trinia) Rauk
  • Jill (Doug) Best
  • Trish (Aaron) Light
  • Tracy (Jonathon) Bareford
  • Dustin (Anita) Blackwell
  • Ashley Little
• 14 great- grandchildren
  • Jack, Lane and Megan
  • Elizabeth, Joe and Nathan
  • Ian and Elise
  • Zach and Abby
  • Henry
  • Blake and Dede
  • Juliet

Memorials: Memorials may be made to Blessed Sacrament Church, Belleville, Illinois.

Visitation: Visitation from 9:00 am – 10:30 am Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, Illinois.

Funeral: A funeral procession will leave from Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL at 10:45 am, Wednesday, May 29, 2019 for a 11:00 am Mass of Christian Burial at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Belleville, IL. with Father Matthew Elie officiating. Interment will follow at Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, Illinois.