Meier, Rae Loretta (Rachela Silvia) 1921-2014

MEIER, CATALANO, CARUSO, BROWN, GOOD, NIEBUHR, MCCUMISKEY, DAWSON, ZEDAR, KLAG, SWAKOW

Posted By: Ruth Maring (email)
Date: 10/20/2014 at 09:53:16

Rae Loretta Meier, 93, of Clinton, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on Sunday, September 21, 2014. Visitation will be at the Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Home and Crematory on Wednesday, September 24 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. A memorial service at the funeral home, with Fr. Pete Sickles officiating, will be held immediately after the visitation. Burial will be at Springdale Cemetery following the memorial service. Pallbearers will be Larry Niebuhr, Jeff Klag, Jim Swakow, Paul Brown, Jeff McCumiskey, and Eric Zedar.
Rae Loretta, (nee Rachela Silvia) Caruso was born in Kenmore, New York on August 18, 1921, the daughter of John T. and Josephine (Catalano) Caruso. Rae graduated from Kenmore High School in 1939 and Hurst Private Business College in 1941. During World War II, from 1941 to 1945, she worked for the U. S. Army Engineers Office in Buffalo, NY as a stenographer and supervised a work pool of secretaries. Rae married John Warren Meier on Sept. 3. 1945 in Buffalo. In 1949 Rae and Warren moved to Nashville, Tenn. Rae enjoyed 15 years in Nashville raising 3 daughters, gardening, playing bridge and volunteering in many school and community organizations. In 1963 the family moved to Clinton where Rae continued her community work and hobbies. Rae and Warren loved to travel and took many vacations and cruises in their retirement years. After 62 years of a wonderful marriage, Warren passed away on November 16, 2007.
Throughout the years Rae involved herself in countless community organizations and truly enjoyed doing service and volunteer work. She was a volunteer with the after school TLC reading program and a volunteer usher on the Showboat Theater. Rae also served on the Whittier School and City PTA, United Way Co-Chair, YWCA Board, Community Concert Symphony, Agatha's Attic Auxiliary and Gift Shop, Salvation Army Board, PEO, and St. John's Episcopal Church Vestry and Women of the Church. Rae also enjoyed gardening, she loved playing Bridge and of course her Antiquers group, both of which have afforded her with many wonderful friends. Above all, Rae devoted herself to her family, caring for both children and grandchildren through the years. Her love and warmth will forever be a part of them.
Left to honor Rae's memory are her children: Linda Brown, Atlanta, Ga., son-in-law Bob Brown, Atlanta, Ga., Cathy Good, Daytona Beach, Florida, and Pam (Larry) Niebuhr, Eldridge, Ia. Grandchildren: Paul (Linda) Brown, Atlanta, Susan (Jeff) McCumiskey, Atlanta, Chris Dawson and partner Eric Zedar, Daytona Beach, Alison (Jeff) Klag, Moline, Ill., Beth Niebuhr and fiance Jim Swakow, Louisville, Ky. Great-grandchildren: Elijah and Josephine Brown, Atlanta, Emmeline McCumiskey, Atlanta, Alexander Klag, Moline. Rae was preceded in death by her loving husband Warren, infant son Steven John and brother John Caruso (Kenmore, NY).
Our family wishes to thank all of the nurses and health care givers from Mercy Hospice and TLC. Your caring and support was invaluable. Memorials may be made to Mercy Hospice of Clinton and the Bickelhaupt Arboretum. Online condolences may be made at www.snellzornig.com.