Ellen Irene Rauch (Braughton) passed away peacefully on October 6, 2025 at the age of 84 with her daughter by her side following a lengthy battle with dementia. Ellen was born on July 31, 1941 in Big Timber, MT to Lloyd and Irene Braughton. Ellen grew up on a cattle/sheep ranch outside of Big Timber, MT along the East Boulder River near the Beartooth Wilderness with her brothers Ronnie and Dean.
She attended a one room schoolhouse and was often the only student in her grade. There are many fun stories of lost Native American artifacts, to having tea parties with chickens and convincing Ronnie to ride a sleeping pig backwards. One time she convinced Ronnie who was too young for school to hide in the bushes like baby cows do, so she could play with him during recess. She attended Big Timber High School from 1955 to 1959. The Boulder Valley was full of Ellen’s relatives and the surrounding ranches were often like family.
After high school, she attended Montana State University and received her bachelor’s degree in Education. She met her husband, Bill Rauch, at MSU and they married in 1961. They lived in the Midwest for a few years while Bill served in the Army and Ellen finished her college degree. They eventually ended up in Helena, MT where Bill worked for Mountain Bell and US West and Ellen was a teacher for grades kindergarten through 2nd grade at East Helena, Ray Bjork, Lincoln, and Bryant. She was a member of Eastern Star and later in life had a stint as a Red Hat Lady in Casa Grande, Arizona.
She took some time off from teaching to raise Shannon and Brian. Ellen was a loving and caring mom that supported the kids in many activities. Shannon competed in the horse shows that saw Ellen behind the wheel of a motorhome pulling a horse trailer to all corners of Montana. Brian competed in track and cross county and was always being encouraged along the course no matter what the Montana weather had in store that day. The Rauch family lived on a ranch in the Helena Valley that grew alfalfa, had many horses, several dogs, and lots of barn cats. Ellen enjoyed tending to crops and animals and was truly in her element helping the family with the outside chores.
Ellen and Bill built a cabin on Canyon Ferry when the kids were young and spent much time there during the summer months. Despite being deathly afraid of being in water above her ankles due to a near drowning incident Ellen proved, one time wearing more than one life jacket, that she could indeed water ski. In 1987 Bill and Ellen purchased a home near Big Arm, MT on Flathead Lake. They eventually moved to Big Arm where Ellen taught Head Start in St. Ignatius and Polson, MT and finally retired from teaching after thousands of students and more than thirty years in the classroom.
Ellen loved her four grandchildren – Shannon’s (Mark) kids, Eli Walker and Brynn (Walker) Flores and Brian’s (Heidi) kids, Peyton and Ella Rauch. She would always have a plate of chocolate chip cookies ready for them when they visited and always looked forward to hearing about their numerous activities. Ellen was often on the sidelines or in the stands for her the grandkids events showing the same love and enthusiasm that she did for Shannon and Brian.
After retirement they spent winters in Casa Grande, AZ visiting with long-time friends at their house on a golf course. They also loved Hawaii and would spend a month or so there many winters near Kahului, Maui.
Ellen loved to surround herself with friends and family and never passed up an opportunity to sit and chat. She was a social butterfly that swapped many funny stories with those that had to opportunity to spend time with her. She brought joy with her everywhere she went and brightened everyone’s day.
Ellen was preceded in death by her husband Bill Rauch on March 6, 2016. Ellen is survived by her two children Shannon (Mark) Walker, Brian (Heidi) Rauch, her brothers and sisters-in-law, Ronnie and Diane Braughton and Dean and Valerie Braughton, grandchildren Eli Walker, Brynn (Walker) and Jakob Flores, Peyton Rauch, and Ella Rauch.
A Memorial Service is scheduled for 12:00 p.m., Saturday, October 18, 2025 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N Montana Ave., with a reception to follow the service in the Social Hall of the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to either the Dementia Society (www.dementiasociety.org) to help cure this awful disease or to the Angel Fund Helena (www.angelfundhelena.org) to help assist local school children with school items and winter necessities.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
12:00 p.m.
Saturday October 18, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Saturday October 18, 2025
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
12:00 p.m.
Saturday October 18, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Saturday October 18, 2025
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Sandi Coyle Benson says
Mrs Rauch has always held a special place in my heart. She was my 2nd grade teacher in East Helena. May you find peace and know she was loved by many.
Catherine Nolan says
Brian I met your mom a few years back and I remember well how kind she was. I’m sorry for your loss. Much love to you and your family.
John Richards says
Brian and Heidi, so sorry to hear about your mother passing. From the obituary, it sounds like she was a lovely lady with a wonderful personality and fond of having you and your sister there with her grandchildren. I’m sure she will be missed.
John Richards
shelley dempsey says
Mrs. Rauch was my second grade teacher. She was one of my favorite teachers of all time. She has always held a special place in my heart. RIP
Debbie Hurni says
Mrs. Ranch was my 2nd grade teacher in East Helena. I looked up to her & when she had recess duty I loved walking around the playground with her.
She was very kind. Sending hugs and prayers.
Laura Calkin says
Shannon. I am so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. She was a grand lady. This is a bit late, as I live in Great Falls now, so just read the IR obituary news.
Howard E. Haines says
Brian and Shannon, I miss your Mom, the “belle of the 2nd floor.” She was always smiling and laughing (or maybe it was just seeing me that made it so). She liked the singing, and she sang along with some of the songs. Thanks for sharing her with us.