Final Salute

Virgil Rauch Obituary

Virgil died Friday, June 28, 2019 at the Sanford Vermillion Care Center in Vermillion. Memorial services will be 10 AM, Friday, July 5, 2019 at the United Church of Christ in Springfield. Interment will be in the Springfield Cemetery, rural Springfield, with military honors. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge of arrangements.

Virgil Andrew Rauch was born July 10, 1916 in McCook County, SD, to Reinhold and Sylvia (née Larson) Rauch. He died Friday, June 28, 2019 at the Sanford Vermillion Care Center in Vermillion. Virgil attained the age of 102 years, 11 months, and 18 days.

Virgil graduated from Cavour High School in 1934, and afterward made his way to Billings Montana, where he started his undergraduate education, which led him to teach as well.

When World War II broke out, Virgil enlisted in the US Navy. He served starting January 14, 1943, as a SeaBee for the 70th US Naval Construction Battalion where he utilized his welding skills. The Battalion was first assigned to North Africa to support allied actions and landings. On October 19, 1944, the 70th embarked for the Pacific Theater. Virgil was part of the company involved with supporting the 5th Marines in the Invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

While on leave during the war, Virgil married his sweetheart, Vivian Jeffery on January 5, 1944, in Las Vegas, Nevada. On November 5, 1945, Virgil was honorably discharged from the Navy and he and Vivian returned to Billings, Montana, where Virgil finished his BA degree from Billing Polytechnic Institute (now Rocky Mountain College) in 1947. He received his Master’s Degree in Industrial Education from the University of Minnesota in 1958. While in Minnesota, he worked for the Toro Company and also taught at St. Paul Park High School.

In 1961, he and his young family moved to Springfield, SD where Virgil taught at Southern State Teachers College until he retired as Associate Professor in June of 1981.

Upon retirement, Virgil and Vivian enjoyed many years traveling between Springfield and Arizona until Vivian’s death. Virgil continued to travel but reside in Springfield. He briefly lived in Yankton, but returned to Springfield for assisted living care. Eventually, Virgil moved to Vermillion to the Sanford Care Center. Virgil’s family would like to thank everyone at Springfield Assisted Living and Sanford Vermillion Care Center for making Virgil’s last years such great ones.

Virgil was a member of the United Church of Christ, the American Legion Dwight Wood Post, Bon Homme Masonic Lodge #101, the Scottish Rite Valley of Yankton, the El Raid Shrine of Sioux Falls and the Eastern Star, Keystone Chapter #33 of Yankton.

Virgil was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He will be greatly missed by his daughter Linda Scott of Sioux City, IA, grandchildren: Eric Taylor, Amanda Taylor, Jennifer Henry, and Kathleen Scott, great-grandchildren: Kendra, Lacey, Paxton, Kevin, Oscar and Leo, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Virgil was preceeded in death by his wife Vivian on April 12, 1997, daughters Andrea and Carolyn, brothers RD, Dale, Grant, and Harley and sister Verda.