SR1731 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1731 LRB098 23673 GRL 62923 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Shirley Mae Rauschenberger of Elgin, who passed away on December 15, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Rauschenberger was born in Elgin on December 1, 1926 to Felix and Amanda Idstein Westerbeck; she graduated from Elgin High School during World War II and married John K. Rauschenberger in 1946; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Rauschenberger's first job was with the Chicago Daily News as a "copy girl"; she was a firm believer in volunteering for her community; she served on the boards of the YWCA, the YMCA, Episcopal Churchwomen, the Boy Scouts of America, the Girl Scouts-Sybaquay Council, the Salvation Army, and the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce; she was one of the founders of the Open Door Clinic; she was elected to the District U-46 School Board, where she served for 12 years; she was a strong supporter of the family business, Rauschenberger Furniture; she was also a foster parent, scout leader, precinct committeewoman, and Kane County election judge; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Rauschenberger received numerous recognitions over the years, including the Cosmopolitan Distinguished Service Award, the Altrusa Woman of the Year Award, and as the State Office of Public Instruction Outstanding Parent of the Region, and, in 2008, she was honored by the Elgin Township Republicans for her leadership and longstanding political activism; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Rauschenberger returned to work after raising her children, working for Chuck Hines Store for Men, Spiess Department Store, and Ackemann's Furniture Store; she then returned to the newspaper field and became one of the first editors of the Elgin Free Press (now Elgin Herald); after retiring, she was active in her son Steve's campaigns for State Senate; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Rauschenberger enjoyed cooking, entertaining, hospitality, and following her family's activities; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Rauschenberger was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; and her brother, Sheldon Westerbeck; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Rauschenberger is survived by her 2 daughters, Laurel Kracen (Don Getts) and Carol Rauschenberger (Reid Travis); her 4 sons, John K. Rauschenberger, Jr., Thomas Rauschenberger, former State Sen. Steven Rauschenberger (Betty), and Keith Rauschenberger (Cindy); her 13 grandchildren, Amanda Kracen, Elizabeth Kracen, Melissa Rauschenberger, John Rauschenberger III, Emilee Rauschenberger, Joe Rauschenberger, Zoe Travis, Bopha Travis, Sam Rauschenberger, Michael Rauschenberger, Henry Rauschenberger, Kacy Rauschenberger, and Karl Rauschenberger; her 12 great-grandchildren; and her extended family members, Scott Kracen and Dawn Marcom; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Shirley Mae Rauschenberger, and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Shirley Rauschenberger as an expression of our deepest sympathy.