Obituary of Donald Francis Raschke

Donald Francis Raschke, 82, passed away peacefully on April 25th, 2024, in Plymouth, Minnesota. A memorial service will be held at Spirit of Grace Church in Coon Rapids, Minnesota.

Don was born on July 3rd, 1941, in Burke, South Dakota to Herman Raschke and Rose Klein Raschke. He grew up in Winner, South Dakota where he attended St. Mary’s Elementary School and later Winner High School, graduating in 1960. He then went to college at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota and graduated in 1964 with a degree in Political Science. He enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard and was honorably discharged in 1970.

On October 22nd, 1966 Don was united in marriage to Mary Hayes by his brother Rev Vernon Raschke at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria, Minnesota. They had two sons; Paul and Michael. Don lived in many places with his family including Fergus Falls, Fargo, Billings, and St. Paul, until settling down in Oakdale, Minnesota in 1973, where he lived in the same house for nearly 50 years. He worked for several companies including Woolworths, Red Owl, and UPS. His interests included cars and trains, but his greatest joy was spending time with family and relatives.

He is preceded in death by his parents Herman and Rose; his wife Mary; his brother Vernon; sister-in-law Helen Raschke; and brother-in-law Thomas Harms. He is survived by his sons Paul (Linda) Raschke and Michael (Amy) Raschke; granddaughters Lily Raschke, Caroline Raschke, Kylie Raschke, and Chloe Raschke; brother-in-law Michael (Susan) Hayes; sister-in-laws Marva Harms and Shirley Hayes; nieces and nephews Richard (Karen) Raschke, John Raschke, Samuel (Jennifer) Harms, Sarah Harms-Master, Sandra (Keith) Karlstad, LeAnn (Frank) Romanazzi, Michelle (Ramon) Hayes-Osuna, and Jennifer Hayes.