Mary “Elaine” Miller-Rausch

Our beloved mother and grandmother went to heaven to be with her Lord and Savior, family and friends.  She passed away on August 1, 2017 at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center in Florida surrounded by her loved ones.

Mom was born on December 1, 1930 to the late Mary Ethel and George Baker.  She was predeceased by all her siblings: brother George Baker; half-brothers Charles Wright, Herbert Wright, William Wright and half-sisters Bertha Wright, Bessie Cornwell, Georgia Ringle, Yula Anderson and Wanda Spencer.  Mom was also preceded in death by her first husband/our father Larry Richard Miller, and her second husband Harold V. Rausch.

Surviving family members include her two sons Steven R. Miller (Laurie) of Burke, NY and Michael D. Miller (Clara) of Ft. Walton Beach, FL; grandsons Liam, Logan, Tadd and Brandan Miller; granddaughters Ashley Warner, Laurelaine Miller, Ericka Jones, and JoAnn Rausch-Gallagher (Jeremy).  Mom also leaves behind a host of friends and acquaintances.

Our Mom was born in the house which stands on Seaver Street.  She graduated from Ithaca High School in 1948.  Her first job was as a telephone operator on the second floor of an Ithaca downtown business.  She later worked at the Masonic Home in Alma where she met our father, Larry.  They were married on Groundhogs Day, February 2, 1957 and made their home on Seaver.  Soon after our birth Mom began work at the North Elementary School and old high school, retiring after nearly 30 years.

Mom was a devout Christian, very loving and caring, always placing her family first.  She also took care of her parents in the Seaver home.  Mom always had a card in the mail whenever it was someone’s birthday, anniversary, holiday or words of sympathy.  Those who got to know her stated; “She is such a sweet person.”  Mom, dad and sons enjoyed vacations to various destinations throughout Michigan and Canada.  In her spare time, she enjoyed picking and canning fruits and vegetables.  She was married to the love of her life for 29 years.  A few years after Larry’s passing, mom remarried.  Mom enjoyed spending winter months in central Florida and the remaining months in Michigan during her retirement.  She enjoyed the warmer Florida weather, but always carried Michigan in her heart.  She relished walks and visiting friends in both states.  After Harold’s passing in 2011, mom moved to Florida permanently.

The family will receive friends at visitation on Thursday, August 10, 2017 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, Michigan.  Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 11, 2017 at 11:00am at the funeral home.  Officiating the service will be Pastor Showers and/or Associate Pastor Fall from Seville Church of God.  Following services, burial will be in Ithaca Cemetery.

Flowers are acceptable.  Expressions of love and sympathy may be placed online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.