Clara C Raatz

Clara C. Raatz, 86, Bismarck, passed away February 21, 2012, at St. Alexius Hospital. A memorial service will be held 10 A.M. Saturday, February 25, at Lutheran Church of the Cross, Bismarck, with the Rev. Donna Dohrmann officiating. Clara Hausauer Raatz was born on November 24, 1925, in Jamestown, ND, the daughter of Rudolph and Katherine Pietz Hausauer. She received her education in Jamestown and after graduating high School in 1943, obtained employment at the Stutsman County Abstract Company under the supervision of Miss Julia Bensch, who became Clara's mentor and taught her title abstracting. Clara passed the Abstracter's Exam and became a Licensed Abstracter of Title. Through the years, she worked periodically at Abstract of Title Offices and researched land titles in several states for several Oil and Gas Exploration Companies. But she preferred to remain at home and care for her children, her husband and her home. After the end of World War II, Clara was married to Donald A. Raatz, who had served in the Navy as an Engineering Officer and Executive Officer in the Pacific Theatre. They were married on July 15, 1946, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Jamestown. They moved to Grand Forks and both continued their education at the University of North Dakota. In 1949 they moved to Bismarck, ND, where Donald accepted a position as Civil Engineer with the US Bureau of Reclamation. They built a home in Bismarck in 1954 and have lived there ever since. Clara and Don were the happy parents of a daughter Barbara and a son David. They had a great pride in their children. Clara was active as a Cub Scout Mother and Don was active with the Boy Scouts for many years. They were proud to see their son and their three grandsons all receive the Eagle Scout Award. During their 65 years of married life, Clara and Don traveled throughout most of the states, including Alaska and Hawaii. Donald once said "he would take Clara to see all the National Parks and National Monuments in the United States". He did that! With their children they spent annual vacations camping, fishing, boating, traveling and sightseeing throughout the states. Clara was a member of the Lutheran Church of The Cross and through the years was active in the Church Library and Ladies Church Circles and other activities. She was a member of the Germans from Russia Organization and enjoyed researching and recording the history of her families. Clara will be greatly missed by her husband and family with whom she had a close relationship, and they all loved her dearly. Clara is survived by her husband, Donald, Bismarck; her daughter and son-in-law, Barbara Bradford Holms of Katy, Texas; her son and daughter-in-law, David Linda Raatz; a grandson, Michael Raatz and his son, Lucian, and a granddaughter, Rebecca Raatz, all of Bismarck, ND; a grandson, Aaron Michelle Holms, and son Hudson and daughter Lauren, of Burleson, TX; and a grandson Nicholas Kendra Holms, and daughter McKenzie and son Benjamin, of Richmond, TX. She is also survived by an older sister, Edna Kelly of Carrington, ND; younger sister, Esther Hausauer of Minneapolis, MN; a younger brother Rudolph Hausauer of Lancaster, CA; and a sister-in-law, Mary Hausauer of Golden Valley, MN. She also leaves many nieces and nephews and their families who she loved dearly. Clara was preceded in death by her parents, Rudolph and Katherine Hausauer; an infant brother, Walter Hausauer, older brother, Albert Hausauer; brother-in-law, Wayne Kelly; her husband's brother, Darwin Raatz ; and her in-laws, Herman and Alma Raatz.

Clara C Raatz

November 24, 1925 - February 21, 2012