Loretta "Lori" Marie Rausch

Loretta “Lori” Marie Rausch, 61, of Winamac, Indiana, left her earthly body on Monday, July 7, 2025, at Northwest Health Hospital in Porter, IN to join her mother, father, brothers, and other family and friends for a reunion so magnificent that she couldn’t refuse. 

She was born August 21,1963 in Winamac, Indiana to Wilbert H. and Madelyn H. Rausch into a loving family that would eventually include nine children.

Lover of books, pop culture, family history, David Letterman in his younger years, and in-season fruit, Lori was wickedly smart and full of medical knowledge that could make a physician blush.

She was among the most creative people to exist in this generation and had skills in fine arts, sewing, crafts, baking, photography, floristry, writing...the list is endless.

Loretta worked many jobs, including nanny, house cleaner, USPS mail carrier, cashier, florist, and 911 dispatcher, but no job was more important than any that had to do with children.

The title “World’s Greatest Aunt” surely belongs to Lori, as she devoted her younger years filling her 23 (and a few “honorary”) nieces and nephews’ days with fun and joy. Grandma’s house was likened to a summer camp made even more fun thanks to Aunt Lori! She made childhood magic. The years of fun helped the kids form bonds with each other that have carried over into adulthood, creating strong connections that most families only dream about. Her smile, laughter, and love will never be forgotten.

Later in life Loretta met her life partner and fiancé, Leon Morales of Lafayette, Indiana. As a partner, there is always good and bad, but the good always prevails. Leon wished to have grown old together, but he trusts that God knows best. Together they have raised the true love of their lives, son Anthony Leon William Morales, of Winamac. Lori was and will be the loving mother and fiancée forever in their hearts and thoughts. That love will be felt moving forward as Anthony uses his mom’s guidance and feels her presence in both everyday decisions and in special celebrations. She is with him always. She was always the best mother she could be, making a loving home that will be empty from her presence but filled with her love and thoughts. May Anthony feel her protection and love as he grieves and moves forward with the support of his father and other loved ones. You are loved by a village, Anthony.

Survivors include: Leon Morales (fiancé), Lafayette, IN: Anthony Morales, Winamac, IN (son); Stephen (Barbara) Rausch (brother), Winamac, IN; Paul “Harry” Rausch (brother), Winamac, IN; Theresa (Robert) Krohn (sister), Sheridan, IN; Patricia “Patti” (Randel) Holliday (sister), Winamac, IN; Monica (David) DeSabatine (sister), Winamac, IN; Elizabeth “Betty” (Larry) Allen (sister), Winamac, IN; Pamela Rausch (sister-in-law), Winamac, IN, many nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins, and now greats. She would have loved for us to recognize every one of her nieces and nephews along with their spouses and children, but you’d need an afternoon to get through it all. 

She was preceded in death by: father Wilbert Henry Rausch, mother, Madelyn Marie Holbrook Rausch, brother Michael Rausch, and brother William “Willie” Rausch.

We would like to offer a special thanks to Lori’s caretakers over the past several years, especially those who offered endless compassion, understanding, and friendship. Thank you and much love to her sisters who so tirelessly stepped up to help provide for her and Anthony even when their own lives were full. Lori knew she was safe, well-cared for, and loved.

In Lori’s honor, and in lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider visiting a loved one in the nursing home today (not tomorrow, for who knows what tomorrow will bring), gather some kids this week for a bike ride to get ice cream on a hot summer day, tell your younger family members a nostalgic story about your family’s history, make a chocolate cake with more frosting than cake to share with your favorite people, or belt out a song by Meat Loaf (the artist) with a smile on your face.

Private services are being held Saturday, July 19, 2025,  with her final resting place at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Winamac, Indiana.

Our lives were made better by having Lori in it, and we pray that you were blessed with that privilege as well.

Lori’s online guestbook is available and condolences can be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory.