John C. Rauert

John Rauert, 91, died Monday, April 18, 2016 at CHI Health, St. Francis Hospital while recovering from a broken hip.

Celebration of Life Service will be Monday, April 25, at 10:30 AM at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island with Derek Apfel, CFC officiating. Visitation will be Monday, April 25, 2016 at 9:30 AM until service time on Monday. Interment will follow at Westlawn Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Judes Childrens Hospital. Apfel Funeral Home is caring for the family.

John was born on February 4, 1925 in Ovina, Nebraska to John and Anna (Stoltenburg) Rauert. He spent his early years on the family farm in Cairo, Nebraska helping his father. He attended District 18 school. In 1943, at the age of 18, John enlisted in the Amphibious Alligator Platoon and was awarded 5 Battle Stars and a Bronze Arrow Head for an assault landing in the Philippines. He was honorably discharged in 1945. Upon returning home he went to work for the Burlington Northern railroad and had an industrious career for 42 years. He married the love of his life, Elaine Luth, in 1990 and they spent their years together traveling, visiting family and friends across the country, gardening, playing cards, and cooking. Johnny loved socializing with his friends on Wednesday and Saturday nights at the Platt Duetsche and on bus trips to visit the casinos when he could.

Those who knew or even met Johnny would not forget his friendly nature, constant joking, and his love for life. He loved a good laugh and he had an incredible memory. Johnny was a gracious man and appreciated the love and nurturing he had received over the past several years from the nurses at the Veterans Home, his friends who visited him regularly, and his family. He had longtime

Memberships at the PlattDuetsche, Eagles Club, The Saddle Club, American Legion and the United Veterans Club.

John was preceded in death by his wife Elaine Rauert in 1994, his parents, three sisters, Carolyn Schwieger, Beulah Hargens, and Lola Harder; a daughter, Jill, a granddaughter, Tammy McConnell Dunbar, a son-in-law, Vern Stumpenhorst.

He is survived by his son Jack Luth, his wife Janice and their children Lindsay and Brian of Grand Island. He is also survived by five stepchildren; Penny Stumpenhorst of Grand Island, Tom Luth and his wife Nancy of Austin, Texas, Jerry Luth of Lincoln, Jody Luth and her wife Becky from Portland, Oregon, Paula Porsch and her husband Clay from Kansas City, nine grandchildren, four great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.apfelfuneralhome.com