Obituary of Marie E Rasch

Rasch, Marie (E.)-of Venice, Florida peacefully passed away at Sarasota Memorial Hospital with family by her side on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at the age of 96. A viewing will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2023, from 2-3:30 pm at Charolotte Memorial Funeral Home & Cemetery, 9400 Indian Springs Cemetery Road, Punta Gorda, FL 33950. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, November 10, 2023, at 10 am at Epiphany Cathedral, 310 Sarasota Street, Venice, FL 34285; Rev. Krzysztof Piotrowski (Fr. Chris) officiating. A luncheon will follow the service. A funeral mass will also be held on Friday, November 17, 2023, at 12 pm at St. Joseph’s Church, 9450 Duffield Road, Gaines, MI 48436. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, 12300 Baldwin Road, Gaines, MI 48436. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be sent to St. Joseph’s Indian School, PO Box 100, Chamberlain, SD 57325 or online at stjo.org/flowers. Marie was born on June 5, 1927, in Flint, Michigan. She lived in Michigan until relocating to Venice, Florida in 1980. She was the fifth of eight children born to George J. and Elizabeth (Leininger) Rasch. Marie had fond memories growing up on her parents’ farm in Yale, Michigan with her brothers and sisters. She attended Remington Elementary School and Yale Public Schools where she played the saxophone and graduated in 1944. Marie graduated from General Motors Institute, a secretarial school and worked at GM from 1945-1949. Marie went on to graduate from Central Michigan (Central Michigan College of Education) in 1949 where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Teaching. She went on to obtain her Master’s Degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. As a teacher, she was patient with each student going above the call of duty, fostering their best efforts, and steering them to success. She had 30 years of employment in education as an elementary teacher working for Weston Elementary in the Kearsley School District, and Neithercut, Sobey, and Wilkins Elementary Schools in the Flint Community School District. Marie was very active in Catholic service as a long-time and beloved member of the Legion of Mary and Solanus Casey Franciscan Fraternity. Before becoming a member of Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, Marie attended St. Pius X Catholic Church in Flint, Michigan. She belonged to the Blue Army, volunteered in nursing homes and prayer groups, trained missionaries in Florida, and taught CCD for many years. Marie was faithful in prayer and taught that you can come to the Lord anytime and anywhere and be in His presence. She was the epitome of Philippians 4:11-12, truly being content in all circumstances. Marie was known to everyone as kind, generous and quick to help anyone. In addition to countless hours serving the church she always made time for family and relished being in the midst of whatever was taking place. She was a great historian of family history with a sharp memory of details regarding genealogy, ancestry, and treasured family stories that she shared and often recorded. Many times she was called upon to babysit members of her family where she created special moments and memories and always taught something amazing in true teacher form. No matter who Marie was with she always made each person feel special in their own way. Marie was always up for an adventure and never bashful about trying a new experience and encouraged others to do the same. Marie loved to read, and in her youth, play golf, bowl, and ski. She also enjoyed the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Flint, MI. even traveling to Cuba to participate. Marie had a giving and energetic spirit. She had a positive disposition, never complaining, and her affable, cheerful, and jovial nature was delightful to all. Marie was preceded in death by her parents, George and Elizabeth Rasch, and siblings, Donald, Bernard, Lawrence, Gertrude Prochazka, Rosalie Nielsen, and Dorothy Brandon. She is survived by her sister, Jo Anne (Gerald) Tenbusch of North Port, FL, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who loved her dearly. Marie’s life was marked as one of service to her Lord. She will forever be in our hearts and fondly remembered.