Obit: Raatz, Louella Clara “Lou” #2 (1943 - 2016)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Raatz, Stowe, Davel, Johnson, Casperson, Diercks, Froeba, Kilty, Dammann, Schmit, Walker

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/20/2016

Raatz, Louella Clara “Lou” (26 February 1943 - 14 July 2016)

Louella C. “Lou” Raatz, 73, of Loyal passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family Thursday, July 14, 2016.

Louella Clara Raatz was born Feb. 26, 1943, in the Town of Beaver, Clark County, the only child of Frank W. and Josephine (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 was united in marriage to Dan Davel April 17, 1971, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Loyal. They later divorced.

Lou held various jobs throughout the years, including medical driver for Nichol’s Medical Transport in Fond du Lac for 15 years, personnel director for New Concepts in Loyal for one year, the Commission of Again Department in Wausau for seven years, three years in housekeeping at Ministry St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield and 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 eight-grade CCD, and was a member of the PCCW, 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 Johnson (Kurt Casperson) 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; and her special friend, Gloria Walker of McGhee, AR; along with cousins and friends.

Lou was preceded in death by her parents.

A private family graveside service will be held at a later date in the Town of Beaver Cemetery.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.  Cuddie Funeral Home of Loyal is assisting the family with arrangements.