Margaret E. Mielenhausen (1924-2022)

MIELENHAUSEN, WIRTH, RAUSCH

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/20/2022 at 08:21:53

Margaret E. Mielenhausen, of Davenport, passed peacefully and was transported to Heaven on the wings of love on the Feast of the Assumption, Monday, August 15 at 3:02 a.m. She lived a long and beautiful life and would have celebrated her 98th birthday next month.

Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 19, 2022 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Bettendorf. Burial will be held in the Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island. Visitation is Thursday from 4-7 p.m. at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, with a vigil service at 6:30 p.m. with time to share your memories. Additional visitation is Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass in the gathering space at church. The Mass will be livestreamed by clicking St. John Vianney FACEBOOK

Margaret Elizabeth Rausch was born Sept. 29, 1924 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Eugene and Anna (Wirth) Rausch. She and her younger brother Charlie learned about delicious food and hospitality at a young age, as their mother was a chef who owned two restaurants in Philly.

Her first language was German, and Marge had a passion for travel which led her to explore diverse countries and continents: North and South Americas, China, Russia, Australia & New Zealand, Egypt, Israel, and all over Europe, including many trips to her ancestral homeland in southern Germany.

Marge was united in marriage on October 27, 1945 to Louis H. Mielenhausen at St. Henry's Catholic Church, Philadelphia. He preceded her in death on June 23, 1992. Lou's employment with U.S. Civil Service took the family to Raritan Arsenal, New Jersey, Tooele Army Depot, Utah, Letterkenny Army Depot, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania and finally to the Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, where they made their home in Davenport. After Lou's death, Marge moved to a condo in Bettendorf for 20 years, then to The Fountains in Bettendorf, where she lived independently 11 years before moving to the Kahl Home this May.

She was employed as a secretary 1942-1945 at Frankford Arsenal, Philadelphia and employed 1976-1985 at Assumption High School, Davenport.

Marge was involved in many activities: a member of Damien-Dutton Society for Leprosy Aid for 65 years, including Board Member/Secretary while living in New Jersey; Secretary-Treasurer of many bowling leagues over a 30-year period; six years on the Board of the Quad-City Times Plus 60 Club, including Secretary for five years and Dance Chairman among other committees; Membership Chairman and Secretary/Treasurer of the Catholic Woman's League; former Board member and Membership Chairman of the Putnam Museum Guild, and a member of the Daughters of Isabella. Marge was a former member of Our Lady of Victory, Holy Family, and Our Lady of Lourdes parishes, and a member of the choir in each. Marge was a member of St. John Vianney Parish, Bettendorf.

Marge had a keen eye for fashion and a talent for singing, sewing, cooking and baking. Her essence was love and care and generosity. The light of her soul shining in her eyes and through her warm smile transformed complete strangers into fast friends. She also loved dancing, dining out, the theatre, crossword puzzles, cards & games and was a frequent winner at trivia.

Most importantly, Marge loved her family and friends. A very social being, she created lifelong friendships and connections in every place she lived and on her many trips and cruises across the country and around the world. All who knew Marge were blessed by her light and love.

Survivors include sons Karl (Elaine), New Bern, NC; Tom (Sue), St. Paul, MN; Steve (Belinda), Davenport; daughters Lois (David) Graham, Johnstown, PA and Eileen Mielenhausen, Surry, ME; 8 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and the great-great-grand Mia, and many extended family members, including relatives in Germany. In addition to her husband, Marge was preceded in death by her parents, brother Charles, granddaughter Melissa Ayn Paul, and godson-nephew Eugene Rausch. May they rest in peace.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota (1600 University Ave. West, Suite 300, St. Paul, MN 55104); Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Western PA (501 Martindale St., Suite 670, Pittsburgh, PA 15212); or Loaves & Fishes (c/o Dominican Sisters, 61 Lisbon Rd., Sabattus, ME 04280).