Obituary of Yvonne Rauff

Yvonne Elaine (Vernon) Rauff, 92, formerly of Detroit, MI, died Friday, May 18, 2012, at her home in State College. Yvonne was born February 11, 1920, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. At the age of three she moved to the United States with her parents, Clement and Beatrice Vernon, her two brothers, and her sister. The family lived in Roseville and later in East Detroit, MI. Yvonne became a U.S. citizen at the age of 21. Yvonne met her husband-to-be, Edward Adam Rauff, while both were employed by the United Artists Theater in Detroit. They were married December 19, 1942, in Detroit, and they shared 69 years together before Ed's death on April 27, 2012. Yvonne and Ed raised their two children in Detroit, where Yvonne worked for Hudson's and Sears department stores. The couple later lived in Southfield and Novi, MI. In 1993 they moved to State College and became members of Trinity Lutheran Church. Yvonne was loving, kind, and faithful to her God, her family, and her friends. Although she left school at an early age to help her widowed mother support the family, she valued education and was a lifelong learner. Yvonne enjoyed reading, playing Scrabble, and working crossword puzzles. She encouraged her children and grandchildren in all their endeavors and was very proud of their accomplishments. Yvonne cared deeply about nature, people, and animals. Yvonne is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, James and Rebecca Rauff of Decatur, IL; daughter and son-in-law, Yvette Rauff and Andre Koslowski of Boalsburg; and two grandchildren: Katrina Bautista of State College and Andrew Rauff of Decatur, IL. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Lavine Vernon of Midland, MI, and Dorothy Hall of Destin, FL, and several nieces and nephews. Yvonne was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her brothers, Albert Vernon and Edward Vernon; and her sister, Sylva Cossar. The Rauff family would like to thank Darlene Fink for her excellent and devoted care of Yvonne during the last year of her life. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial gifts may be made to the Salvation Army, to Centre County PAWS, or to Trinity Lutheran Church, 2221 N. Oak Lane, State College, PA 16803.