Bernetta Althea Rautmann (nee Gorsege) was 96 when she passed on July 20, 2025. She was born February 27, 1929 to Martin Gorsege and Martha Heuer on their family farm in Herman Township. She was an only child to a mature set of parents who had very little family. Her uncle Louis Gorsege was her only other close relative and he lived with the family.
Her family had a long history within the Trinity Lutheran Church in Herman Township. She attended their school through the eighth grade at which time she was taught predominantly in German before graduating from Kiel High School in 1947. She spent several decades as a member of the church’s Altar Guild.
She married Frederick Rautmann on May 2, 1953 at Trinity Lutheran. The couple enjoyed a month-long honeymoon throughout the southwestern states. They first lived on the Heuer farm on CTY MM before moving one mile back to the Gorsege farm on HWY 32. Frederick passed July 22, 1973. She worked at Millersville Box and then at Tolibia Cheese in Oostburg.
Together they had five children. She was preceded in death by Gary Rautmann (Fritzie), Lois Vines and a child at birth. She is survived by Lynne Rautmann of Sheboygan Falls, Bruce Rautmann of Wauwatosa and Jodi (David Nett) of Howards Grove. She is also survived by a very special daughter-in-law Becky Ryba of Sheboygan and an equally special son-in-law Fredd Vines plus her two grandsons Kobe and Cory Vines of Wauwatosa. Her last surviving in-law is Eileen Skelton.
Bernetta had a close circle of friends that were special to her and that definitely needed to be thanked. Her monthly, travelling card party was the Cooked Cheese (Koch Kaese) Club where the husbands played Sheepshead (Schafkopf) and the wives played Michigan Rummy. The members were the Gessert, Goedeke, Klemme, Kuester, Luecke and Woepse families who also doubled as her frequent travel companions. Together they enjoyed life, shared memories and travelled throughout Alaska, Mexico, Europe and the Amazon. Her neighbors and friends the Beining, Born, Grunewald, Herzog, Kimme, Luecke, Muesegades, Radar, Siegert and Wehrmann families were just as important to her. We thank you.
Bernetta was a strong lady who stretched a dollar to provide the best she could for her children. She sacrificed greatly to make sure each of them never felt lacking. She lived through her children’s sporting events and attended nearly all their games. Her interest in genealogy led her to volunteering at the Sheboygan County Research Center and visiting her ancestral roots in Germany. She volunteered yearly at the Ag Building during the Sheboygan County Fair. Psst…she actually made all her kids 4-H floral arrangement entries.
She loved everything Johnsonville from the Stayer’s bratwurst to Bill & Audrey’s Laack’s Hall. The bowling ball she used at Pine Grove was engraved with her initials of B.A.R. and it made her kids snicker. She loved to make puzzles, completed hundreds of word search books and made the world’s best pot roast. She enjoyed a Friday Fish Fry, a strawberry schaum torte and two pickled brussel sprouts in her old fashioneds.
Bernetta lived her final two years at the Harvest Home in Howards Grove. The many staff members are too numerous to mention. Each of them made her feel safe, appreciated and loved. Her family is forever grateful. We would also like to thank Heartland Hospice and the Gathering Place.
A visitation will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church at W2776 STH 32 in Howards Grove on Friday, July 25 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm followed by a brief church service at 2:00pm. In lieu of money or flowers, Bernetta would encourage you to send a card, to arrange a family meal or to create a memory for you to share with your loved ones.
Comments