On October 12, 2020, Della Mae Raguse, loving wife and mother of three children, left this earth for her heavenly home at the age of 94, joyful to be reunited with so many she loved.

Della Mae was born on November 5th, 1925 to Emma and Christopher Voss at their home on a farm near Holyrood, Kansas. She lived her entire childhood on the farm with her parents, two sisters, and one brother.

Raised in a Christian family, Della Mae lived a life that was shaped and guided by her faith. She graduated from high school at the age of 16, and at a time when needed, answered the call to become a teacher, the vocation of service that would prove very important in the lives of both her and her family. 

On May 27, 1951, she married Carl Raguse, a Lutheran school teacher she got to know through church events and gatherings at the local skating rink. Together they raised one daughter and two sons, all of whom went on to become teachers and meet their spouses at Concordia Teachers College, Seward, NE. 

Though she continued to teach for a time after the marriage, she transitioned to the career of homemaker for several years to raise her children. She then began working as a secretary at the local community college and later at a Lutheran elementary school, both additional connections to education which she treasured.

Through these stages of life, Della Mae and Carl made their home in various locations including Nebraska, Illinois, Kansas, and Iowa. Retirement led them to Fort Scott, Kansas in 1996, to live near their daughter and family.

Throughout both her working years and retirement, Della Mae always found ways to keep her faith and family as her highest priorities. Serving her church in many capacities, making her home a loving and comforting place to be, and spending time with family and friends were of utmost importance to her.

Della Mae is now joyfully reunited with her parents, her husband Carl, her sister and brother-in-law, LaVina and Al Juergensen, her brother Wilber, and an infant granddaughter.

She is survived by her sister, Marian (Charles) McKay, her sister-in-law Sandra Voss, her daughter, Cathy (Rick) Werling, her sons, Dan (Maggie) Raguse and Darin (Janet) Raguse, 5 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Della Mae’s earthly life was filled with the love of family and friends, and faith in Jesus was her path to eternal life. All who knew her were blessed to have her in their lives.

Due to concerns around the current pandemic, the funeral will be limited to family members.

The memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 17th, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort Scott, Kansas. Private burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. 

The family knows that all who loved Della Mae will be present in thought and spirit. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com. Memorials are suggested to either Trinity Lutheran Church or Fort Scott Presbyterian Village and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS  66701.