Carlyle James Rauk

FOREST CITY - Carlyle Rauk, age 77, of Forest City, died Wednesday,
March 14, 2012 at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 17, 2012
at United Methodist Church in Forest City with Pastor Jerald Swanberg officiating.

Visitation will be one hour prior to service at the church.

Inurnment will be at Madison Township Cemetery in Forest City, with
graveside military rites by American Legion Post 121.

Carlyle James Rauk was born on April 23, 1934 in rural Forest City. He
was the son of Allen and Olga (Rusley) Rauk.
He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest
City. He graduated in 1951 from Forest City
High School. After graduation, he farmed with his father until he
joined the United States Army in 1954, serving two years. On June 9, 1954, he was united in marriage to Dixie Benson. They were
dairy farmers in the Forest City area for 33 years. Carlye had a great love for horses from a very young age. He rode and
drove everything from small ponies to draft horses.
While serving as President of the Rainbow Trail Riders, he started
and organized the first Frontier Days Parade and ran this
for the next 20 years.Two of his favorite memories from the Frontiers
Day Parade were driving his own 10-pony hitch and a
few years later he had the privilege of driving the O's Gold 40 horse
hitch down Main Street. After retiring from Winnebago,
Carlyle enjoyed restoring horse drawn machinery and buggies. He
enjoyed trading horses and services with his Amish friends
from the McIntire area.

Carlyle was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Forest
City, where he sang in the choir. He was a member of
the Morning Lions Club and American Legion Post 121. He had the
privilege of being an Honor Flight Guardian in 2009.

Carlyle's greatest love was his family. For more than 50 years,
Carlyle and Dixie supported their children, grandchildren, and
great grandchildren at all of their extra curricular activities.

Carlyle is survived by his wife of almost 58 years, Dixie Rauk. Four
sons: Kerby(JoAnn), Scott(Leslie), Jeffrey(Lori), and Kelly(Robin).
Grandchildren; Nichole(Jonah), Tom (Andrea), Brad(Julie),
Terry(Kelly), Shaun(Jenny), Cody, Mathew(Danialle), Alex(B0), and
Britney. Great-grandchildren; Alyssa, Brady, Cade, Daelynn, Trey, Isaac,
Rhayna, Ruby, Lucy, Emmy, Von, and Emma. Faithful canine friends
Maggie and Sadie.

Carlyle was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and brother.