Jean Cooley

Jean Ann (Rausch) Cooley, 79, of Clarks Hill died at 8:25 a.m., Saturday August 2, 2008 at her son's home. She had been diagnosed with colon cancer in April.

Jean was born in Lafayette, IN on August 16, 1928. She graduated from St. Francis High School and began work at the Purdue admissions office. After nine years there, she began training at the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing. Upon graduation, Jean worked for nine years as a registered nurse both at St. Elizabeth Hospital and later Dr. Robert McAdam's office.

Jean met her future husband, David Cooley, on a blind date. They married on January 22nd, 1966, in a ceremony officiated by her brother, Fr. Laurian. Together, Jean and David, farmed in Benton County, then later moved to a farm near Clarks Hill. They had one son, Jim, who lives near Dayton. Jim and his wife, Lisa, have two sons, Evan and Luke.

Jean was the daughter of the late Mike and Mary Rausch. She comes from a large family, born the 11th of twelve children. Growing up in West Lafayette, she loved to play in the hollows and pick tomatoes. Her surviving siblings are Robert Rausch (wife Dorothy, deceased) of Lafayette and Sr. Blanche (Therese) Rausch of Mishawaka. She is preceded in death by her brothers Clarence (wife Ruth), Louis (wife Alberta), Gerald (wife Marian), Casper (wife Ruth Ann), Fritz (wife Faye who still resides near Buck Creek), and Fr. Laurian (Albert). She is also preceded in death by her sisters Mary, Margaurite, and Ann. Jean's husband, David, also comes from a large family of eleven children, so she enjoyed the presence of many nieces and nephews within her life.

Jean was a member of St. Lawrence Church and had volunteered with the Red Cross and Hanna Community Center. She was also active in the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing Alumni Association. An avid gardener, Jean loved to share her vegetables, especially sweet corn, with her family and friends. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandsons and cheering at their many sporting events.

Friends may call at the HAHN-GROEBER FUNERAL HOME, 1104 Columbia St. from the Rosary at 4:45 P.M. until 8 :00 P.M. Tuesday. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Lawrence Catholic Church 10:30 A.M. Wednesday. Fr. Dan Gartland officiating, with interment to follow at St. Boniface Cemetery. If friends desire, memorials may be made to the Jean Cooley Scholarship Fund, c/o St. Lawrence School or St. Elizabeth Hospice. www.hahngroeberfuneralhome.com