Audrey M Raatz

Audrey was born on August 3, 1919, in Ashland, Wis., to Helmar and Jennie (Blair) Olson, the youngest of five children. She was a graduate of Aquinas High School.

In 1937, Audrey married Julius Theodore Raatz in La Crosse and started a family soon after. She was a generous and loving mother and grandmother, taking special care to create memorable moments every Thanksgiving and Christmas. As a young woman, Audrey was successful in business as part owner and manager of Julies Bar in La Crosse along with her husband. As a small business owner with Avon Corporation, she achieved Avons Presidents Award honoring outstanding sales performance and leadership over many years. Audrey enjoyed helping people that were less able and she continued to work and volunteer in health care until she was 80 years old.

She is survived by her three children, Jeneane Jacobson, John (Bonnie) Raatz, and Julie Schroeder; nine grandchildren, Leslie Jacobson, Brady (Mary) Jacobson, Andrea (Jim) Curtis, Craig Jacobson, John (Stacy) Raatz, Amy (Rick) Kujawa, Heather (Derek) Hodovance, Heath Schroeder, and Jared Schroeder; fifteen great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Julius, on December 29, 1988; two sons-in-law, Les Jacobson and Dennis Schroeder; three brothers, Bill, Ray and Gordon Olson; and one sister, Evelyn McFarland.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 18th, at 11:00 a.m., at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services-La Crosse Chapel located at 200 West Ave. So. Rev. Douglas Robertson will officiate. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.