Obit: Raatz, Louella C. "Lou" (1943 – 2016)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Raatz, Stowe, Davel, Casperson, Johnson, Diercks, Froeba, Schmitt, Walker

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, Wis.) 20 Jul 2016

Raatz, Louella C. "Lou" (26 FEB 1943 – 14 JUL 2016)

Louella C. “Lou” Raatz, 73, Loyal, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family, on Thursday, July 14, 2016. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date in the Town of Beaver Cemetery.

Louella Clara Raatz was born on Feb. 26, 1943, in the town of Beaver, Clark County, the only child of Frank W. and Josephine (nee Stowe) Raatz. She was raised on the family farm and received her education in area country schools, graduating from Loyal High School in 1961. She then attended Mid-State Technical School in Marshfield for two years. She married Dan Davel on April 17, 1971, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Loyal. They later divorced. Lou held various jobs throughout the years. She was a medical driver for Nichol’s Medical Transport in Fond Du Lac for 15 years; she was personnel director for New Concepts in Loyal for one year; she worked for the Commission of Aging Department in Wausau for seven years; she worked for three years in housekeeping at St. Joseph Hospital in Marshfield; and she worked for seven years in housekeeping at the Marshfield Clinic until retiring in February 2007. She was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, where she previously taught eighth-grade CCD, and was a member of the PCCW and St. Helen’s Circle, where she served as vice president for two years. Lou was named Volunteer of the Year for Spencer in 2002, and Volunteer of the Year for Wood and Marathon counties in 2003. She also volunteered with local dairy breakfasts in the area, and won the Name-the-Park Contest in Loyal to name what is Westside Park.

She will be dearly missed by three daughters: Dawn (Kurt Casperson) Johnson of Greenwood, Renee (Ricky) Diercks of Greenwood, and Dana (Kevin) Froeba of Loyal; six grandchildren: Todd Johnson, Tyler Johnson, Megan Kilty, Morgan Kilty, Erin Froeba, and Waylon Froeba; four great-grandchildren: Skyy, Joley, Hunter, and Laiken; a wonderful caregiver, Amy Dammann Schmitt of Loyal; her special friend, Gloria Walker of McGehee, Ariz.; and cousins and friends.

Lou was preceded in death by her parents.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Loyal, is assisting the family with arrangements.