Annette Raukar

Annette Margaret Raukar

Annette Margaret (Gandsey) Raukar, 86, longtime Hibbing resident, passed Tuesday August 18, 2015, at Fairview Range Medical Center in Hibbing with family by her side.  She was born March 9, 1929, in Milwaukee, WI, the eldest of  James and Anne (Vercellini) Gandsey’s six children.  At the age of 10, she and her family moved to Hibbing, where she graduated from Hibbing High School in 1947.  She attended St. Cloud State for one year and was united in marriage to the love of her life, Richard Raukar, Sr., in November of 1948.  They were married for 64 years.  They made their home in Hibbing, raising a family of four sons.

She was a stay at home mother for many years and entered the workforce taking employment at Hibbing General Hospital as an admitting clerk and surgical secretary, retiring in 1985.  Not long after, she took part time employment with ISD 701 as a Title/Chapter 1 Teacher’s Aide at Greenhaven School.

She enjoyed being involved with many clubs and volunteer activities such as Women’s Bocce Club, Sewing Club, Bridge Club, Birthday Club, and Grubby Supper Club with her many close friends, as well as volunteering with the Hospital Auxiliary, Gift Nook, and Hull Rust Mine View, the PTA, and Hibbing Historical Society.  She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish and taught catechism when her children were young.

She enjoyed socializing and hosting gatherings of family and friends.  On her personal time, she could be found walking and bike riding through the neighborhood or reading a good book.  Mostly she enjoyed any time with family--almost always on Sundays.

Annette, her husband, Richard, and many friends were involved with many political campaigns supporting and following close friend Rudy Perpich from the school board to the governor’s office.

She and her friends enjoyed travel throughout the United States and Europe, visiting her roots in Ireland and Italy as well as Switzerland and England.

She is survived by three sons: Richard (Peggy) Raukar, Jr. of Hibbing, Steve (Trish) Raukar of Kelly Lake, MN and Dr. George (Neha) Raukar of Providence, RI;  a daughter-in-law, Michelle Raukar of Hibbing; nine grandchildren: Chad (Betty) Raukar, Nicole (Adam) Osborne, Cade (Laura) Raukar, Peter (Nicole) Raukar, Michael (Carey) Raukar, Aaron (Erin) Raukar, Lindsay (Dan) Lerick, Zia Raukar and Dylan Raukar; 15 great-grandchildren: Calli, Steffani, Parker, Ryan, Dylan, Nevaeh, Obidia, Elijah, Alli, Drew, Quinn, Piper, Henry, Charlie, and Milo; two sisters, Jane (Pat) Degnan of Hibbing and Jean Ann (Rodger) Wherland of Coon Rapids; brothers Steve (Marnie) Gandsey of Brooklyn Park, Tom Gandsey of Nevis; a sister-in-law, Joyce Gandsey of Hibbing; and by many nieces, nephews, and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Sr. in 2012; by a son, Michael Raukar, in 2001; by her parents; by her step-father, Ralph Wood; and by a brother, Peter Gandsey.

Annette’s family wishes to thank the staff at Guardian Angels Nursing Home for their care, compassion, and friendship during her stay there.

Visitation will be Monday August 24, 2015, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Hibbing, for one hour prior to the 11 AM funeral Mass.  Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, Hibbing.  To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.doughertyofhibbing.com .