Ann M Rautenberg

Ann M. Rautenberg, age 82, of Show Low, Arizona and Redwood Falls, MN, passed away on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Haven Health in Show Low, Arizona. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 10, 2026, at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Redwood Falls, MN, with burial to follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Renville, MN Visitation will be from 10:00 - 11:00 AM on the day of the service at the church.

The Nelson-Hillestad Funeral and Cremation Service of Redwood Falls and Morgan are in charge of the arrangements. E-mail condolences may be sent via www.nelson-hillestad.com.

Memorials may be directed to Martin Luther College or Native Christians Ministry.

God, in his wisdom, called Ann Martha Rautenberg out of this world on Wednesday, March 18th, 2026. After struggling with Alzheimer's disease in her later years, she now is truly home with her Savior.

Ann was born on February 8th, 1944 in Bell, California, to Gerhardt and Martha Breitkreutz and grew up in Delhi Township on the family farm. Christian education has always been important to her. Following her confirmation at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Flora Township, in 1958, she continued building her faith over the next 8 years by attending Dr. Martin Luther High School and College in New Ulm, MN. Her graduation in 1966 with a teaching degree was the start of a decades-long career in Christian education. She was blessed to teach in Iowa, Minnesota, Florida, and Wisconsin before retirement in 2009. In retirement, she enjoyed serving at St. John's Lutheran School in Redwood Falls until 2020.

In 1973, Ann married James Rautenberg at St. John's Lutheran Church in Redwood Falls, MN. God blessed them with 3 children during their 39 years of marriage. It was important to her that they also received a Christian education, and her daughter today follows in her footsteps as a Christian elementary school teacher. In her spare time she enjoyed reading and music. Even in her last years she could play the hymns from memory that she had been playing as a church organist since her teenage years.

Ann is survived by her children: Rev. Daniel (Katie) of Peridot, AZ; Sarah, of Whiteriver, AZ; and David (Jennifer) of Overton, TX; five grandchildren; three brothers: Karl (Deanna) of Redwood Falls, Owen (Christine) of Neosho, WI, Orville (Sue) of Watertown, WI; one sister: Shirley (Byron) of Akeley, MN; 13 nieces and nephews; and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, James.

A person's life can't be measured by possessions or reduced to failing memories. In the end, faith in Jesus is what truly matters. Ann was able to have an eternal impact on many people as she served Jesus in life and ministry.