1930-2026

 

Born - September 26, 1930

Baptized - September 27, 1930

First Profession - February 10, 1952

Perpetual Profession - February 10, 1955

Entered Eternal Life – May 28, 2026

 

Sister Dorothy Rausch, O.S.B., a long-time member of Queen of Angels Monastery, died in the early afternoon, on May 28, 2026, at Orchard House, Mount Angel, Oregon.  She was 95 years old.  Sister Dorothy would have celebrated her 75th Jubilee of Monastic Profession on February 10, 2027.

 

Sister Dorothy was born in Rupert, Idaho, on September 26, 1930, to Charles S. Rausch and Marie (Henscheid) Rausch.  She was baptized in St. Nicholas Church in Rupert and given the name Anna Mae.  She was the second child preceded by her brother Bernard.  (Bernard became a monk at St. Martin’s Abbey in Lacey, Washington, and took the name Father Nicholas, OSB).  Genevieve was next (Sister Christine) followed by Elizabeth, who died in infancy.  Regina (Sister Regina) and Gertrude were next.  Four of the five became Benedictines.  Gertrude married and raised 6 children who still live in Idaho with their expanding families.

 

Anna Mae attended public schools in Rupert graduating from high school with her sister, Genevieve, in 1949.  Both, having been inspired by the sisters who taught Religious Vacation School when they were young, decided to enter a religious community.  Mt. Angel seemed a natural choice since some of their aunts and uncles had gone to college there.  They were accepted, sight unseen, and entered together on August 9, 1949.  They were professed on February 10, 1952, receiving the names, Sister Dorothy and Sister Christine.

 

Sister Dorothy was assigned to various domestic tasks which supported the community and the school residents.  She assisted in the monastery kitchen and served as cook at the sisters’ convents in Woodburn, Portland, and Mount Angel Abbey for several years.  She was in charge of the monastery laundry for a total of 17 years, washing clothing and sheets for the monastery until laundromats were introduced.  The campus schools and nursing home sheets were included in the operation. When the laundry closed in 1980, she assisted part-time in domestic work, library and switchboard.

 

Sister Dorothy was someone you could always depend on to carry out whatever task was expected of her, quietly and efficiently.   She was a faithful friend to many of her co-workers and community members.

 

Sister Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Father Nicholas, and her sisters Elizabeth and Gertrude (Rausch) Stuart.  She is survived by her sisters, Sister Christine and Sister Regina; her many nieces and nephews and other relatives; and by her monastic community of Benedictine Sisters.

 

A vigil was celebrated in the Benedictine Sisters’ chapel at Orchard House, 4 p.m., on June 7, 2026.  Receiving and viewing of Sister Dorothy’s body was on June 8 at 9:30 a.m. at the Queen of Angels Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10:30 a.m., followed by her burial in the monastery cemetery.

 

Gifts to the Benedictine Sisters Retirement Fund are graciously accepted in memory of Sister Dorothy.  Gifts can be sent to Benedictine Sisters, 840 S. Main St., Mount Angel, OR 97362.

 

May Sister Dorothy rest in eternal peace.