Diane Rausch
Diane C. Rausch, 64, of Leander, Texas, passed away on November 15, 2024, with family by her side. Born on April 25, 1960, Diane spent her childhood in Sleepy Eye as the middle child in a family of 11 siblings. In 1980, Diane married Dave and began their family in southern Minnesota, later relocating to central Texas, where they would raise their children and become deeply embedded in their community.
Diane’s zeal for knowledge and her love for others manifested in her pursuit of education. While raising her children, Diane earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education (magna cum laude) with a minor in geology from The University of Texas at Austin. Later, she obtained two master’s degrees from University of North Texas in Denton, one in gifted and talented education and the other in library sciences. For over 30 years, she touched the lives of thousands of students in Leander ISD, serving as an elementary teacher, gifted and talented instructor, and ultimately as the librarian at Block House Creek Elementary. Diane’s life was marked by a relentless commitment to finding creative solutions, learning new crafts, and making a positive impact wherever possible. Among Diane’s many such endeavors in recent years were becoming an election worker, donating gallons of blood as a regular donor, becoming a basket weaver, creating paint poured art, learning to play the piano, and actively pursuing certification as a master naturalist and gardener at the time of her passing. Diane was a pillar of ingenuity, integrity, love, and passion to so many. She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished as an inspiration to never stop learning, growing, and finding ways to use our talents to solve problems and improve the world around us while finding joy in this.
Diane is survived by her husband, David Windschitl, children, Erik (Maila Nalani) Windschitl, Angie (Christian) Richardson, and John (Gaby Ouzts) Windschitl, grandchildren Riley and Marah, mother Elizabeth Rausch (Lenertz), brothers and sisters Wayne Rausch, Carrie Ress, Amy Rausch, Claire Rausch, Matt Rausch, Alan Rausch, Chris Rausch, Mary Mendoza, Mark Rausch, Lynn Jorud, and multiple nieces and nephews.
Diane is preceded in death by her father Donald Rausch.
A Celebration of Life was held at Yetter Hall at the Leander VFW in Leander from 2 – 4 p.m. on January 4, 2025. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent in Diane’s name to t Little Free Library, https://give.littlefreelibrary.org/team/626452. The family also requests that if you have a memory of Diane that you would like to share, please write and send to Angie Richardson, 1701 Remuda Cir, Round Rock, TX 78681.
