Ursula Rathburn

DANE-The subject of the book My Pretty Fré�ulein has lost her battle with pancreatic cancer. Ursula Inge Margaret (Rauch) Rathburn departed this life on October 18, 2017. She was born in Mainz, Germany on October 24, 1935. She grew up in the small wine city, Ingelheim am Rhein, where her father was a biochemist for Boehringer Ingelheim. In her 20's, she was a dance instructor and volunteered at the hospital. She remained in contact with her hometown friends. She married Arthur Rathburn and moved to America in 1967. She became a U.S. citizen in 1996. She kept close to her German heritage while embracing her new culture. She took on 4-H leadership roles in Idaho for over 15 years. Ursula and Art went dancing whenever the opportunity arose. She truly loved the arts, attending opera, theatre, symphony and concerts in the park. They have been "Friends of the Overture Concert Organ". She enjoyed detecting family history and working with her husband on the many novels they wrote. They traveled extensively through Europe and the Americas for pleasure, visiting family and friends, and extensive research for their books.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Max and Inge Rauch. She reluctantly left her husband of over fifty years, Arthur Rathburn; her daughter, Christine (Don Keck) with children, Carl, Marie, and Dean of Plover; her daughter, Heidi (Patrick Wallner) with children, Anastasia and Samuel of Wisconsin Rapids; and cousin, Sabine Schmidt-Rauch (Elmar Schmidt- Rauch) of Paderborn, Germany.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, November 3, 2017, at 11:30 a.m. at the Winn-Cress Funeral Home, 5785 Hwy Q, in Waunakee. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services. Ursula's favorite things besides her family were her love of dogs, her love of travel, and watching Public TV. Therefore, in lieu of flowers donate to your local Humane Society or to Wisconsin Public Television in her name.

Winn-Cress Funeral Home
5785 Hwy Q
Waunakee, WI