Carol R. Rauen, 83 of Northwood, Iowa, formerly of Lyle, Minnesota, died Friday, April 19, 2019, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City, Iowa.

Nearly four years ago, after 50 years of marriage, Mom lost the love of her life and she has now gone to join him.

Mom was born Nov. 20, 1935, at home near Dexter, Minnesota, to Elliot and Ruth (Bacon) Young. She was blessed having been able to share her life with her four siblings, Charlotte, David, Sharon and Shirley.

Mom was an excellent cook and enjoyed baking, always wanting to try another new recipe.  One of her specialties was baking and decorating cakes. She started a family tradition with her youngest son Todd, making a special clown cake for his birthday and then for each of her grandchildren’s first birthday. Her potato salad recipe that is used by Sam and Shelly has become more famous than she could have ever imagined! She was proud that we referred to it as “Carol’s or Mom’s” recipe!

Mom was very active in the Lyle American Legion Auxiliary. She held the office of President, Mower County President and First District President. She gave countless hours of her time to the post. Many of those hours were spent preparing and serving food for their fundraising dinners, along with various community projects and parade marching.

Mom enjoyed golfing, fishing trips and extensive traveling. She loved playing cards, whether cribbage with Dad, 500 with family and friends, or whatever game the Rauen family decided to play.

Her unconditional love and dedication to us kids and her family goes without saying and we the kids wish to thank all of mom’s family and friends for sharing the love with her. Without your love, Mom’s life would have been empty.

We wish you a life as successful and loving as Mom’s was.

We would like to thank the staff at MercyOne in Mason City for all of their unbelievably wonderful care she received while in the ER, Cath Lab, 6 East – CCU and 4 West.

Ironically, one of Mom’s last Facebook posts was “Life is not merely being alive, but being well – Marcus Valerius Martialis.”  “Take care of your heart health.”

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bob; son, Jay Rauen; granddaughter, Jennifer Wallace; sister, Charlotte Thagard; and brother, David Young.

Carol is survived by her children,  Gary and Tammy Wallace, Deb Kittleson, Shelly and Sam Venechuk, Todd and Gail Rauen; daughter-in-law, Nancy Rauen; grandchildren, Dezi Wallace, Rosalie Anderson, Angie Rauen, Katie Venechuk, Samuel Venechuk, Tom Rauen, Brad Rauen, Nicole Venechuk, Robyn Riles, Cody Kittleson, Travis Kittleson, Ramona Robinette, Brandi Bailey and Holly Bailey; great-grandkids, Cayden, Kara, Hannah, Myah, Cash, Madison, Lydia and Johnathan; and sisters, Sharon Hollerud and Shirley Smith.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Lyle with Father Swaminatha Pothireddy officiating. Interment will be at Woodbury Cemetery. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday. Visitation will also be at the church on Wednesday morning for one hour before the service.