Neola Raasch

Neola Maxine Raasch (nee Clark) was welcomed into Jesus’ arms, in glory, on November 14, 2025. Neola was born on May 24, 1935, in Page, Nebraska to W. Foy and Louise Clark (nee Nissen). Her mother passed away when Neola was eight years old. Foy married Anne Clark (nee Busch), who lovingly raised Neola and her two sisters as her own. Foy and Anne later welcomed another daughter and a son to the family.

Neola became a child of God through holy baptism on April 12, 1936. After graduating from Norfolk High School in 1953, Neola attended the University of Nebraska, receiving a Bachelor of Science in nursing in 1957. On May 3, 1958, Neola married Robert P. Raasch at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Norfolk, Nebraska. She was confirmed in Christian faith at Mount Olive Lutheran in Lincoln, Nebraska on August 10, 1958. Together, Rob and Neola enjoyed 45 years of Christian marriage, and the Lord blessed them with four boys.

With the start of a family, Neola happily focused not on career aspirations, but on loving and supporting her husband and raising their boys to be followers of Jesus Christ. She stood by Rob’s side as his job took him from Omaha, NE to Rochester, MN to Libertyville, IL and back to Omaha. Eventually, after all their sons had finished high school, Rob and Neola “semi-retired” to a hobby farm in the Brainerd, MN area. Despite storied misgivings, Neola consented, and Rob was able to return to his first love of farming. They both enjoyed a new chapter of their lives for more than a decade. Branding it Golden Acres, they grew produce for sale at local grocery stores and farmers markets.

Their plans to truly retire were interrupted when Rob died in a farming accident in 2003. Neola showed amazing strength in adversity, and found new ways to serve others, largely through friendships and volunteering. Beneficiaries of her volunteerism included Christ Lutheran Church in Baxter MN, the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (regional and national roles), the Martin Luther College (MLC) Auxiliary, The Center in Brainerd, Meals on Wheels, the Men’s Retreat, and many, many individuals moved by her energy, optimism, kindness, grace, and charm. She stayed active, enjoying travel, tennis, golf, pickleball, bridge, and especially quilting.

Neola is survived by her sons: Robert (Sarah) Raasch of Neenah, WI, Joel (Jennifer) Raasch of Germantown, WI, Eric (Hilda) Raasch of Sioux Falls, SD, Clayton (Kristie) Raasch of Stillwater, MN; grandchildren Rachel Raasch, Allison (John) Mancl, Caleb (Dana) Raasch, Esther Raasch, Abigail (fiancé Ryan Mikul) Raasch, Joseph Raasch, Olivia Raasch, Anna Raasch, Martin Raasch, Andrew (fiancé Lilian Schuetz) Raasch; great-grandchildren Hudson Mancl, Levi Mancl, and Irene Raasch; siblings Marilyn Rock, Ruth Ann Hoover and Jim (Jan) Clark, brother-in-law George Blakeman, sister-in-law Helen Raasch, and many nephews and nieces.

Neola was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister Keralyn Blakeman, in-laws Harold Rock, Ernest Raasch, Miriam and Ladean Korte, Winifred and Tom Jones, nephews David Korte, Roger Korte, Bobby Korte, Kevin Korte and Clark Blakeman.

The Christian Memorial service for Neola will be Saturday, December 6 at Christ Lutheran Church (13815 Cherrywood Dr, Baxter, MN 56425) at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be on Friday, December 5, 4-6 p.m. and on December 6, 10-11 a.m.

Instead of flowers, you are welcome to make a memorial gift to the Robert and Neola Raasch Scholarship Fund (via “Donate” at mlc-wels.edu/scholarships or check payable to Martin Luther College, 1995 Luther Court, New Ulm, MN 56073) or to Christ Lutheran Church, 13815 Cherrywood Dr, Baxter, MN 56425, (via “Giving” at christbaxter.com or check payable to the church).