LEANDER, TX–Diane C. Rausch, 64, of Leander, TX passed away on November 15, 2024, with family by her side at the Cedar Park Regional Medical Center in Cedar Park, TX.

Born on April 25, 1960, Diane spent her childhood in Sleepy Eye, MN, as the middle child in a family of eleven siblings. She was cherished by her older siblings as the “doll” of the family, and in turn, took on a nurturing role toward her younger ones. Her devotion to her family continued throughout her life, maintaining close friendships with many of her siblings and supporting and celebrating their journeys into adulthood and beyond.

After dedicated efforts from Dave, who was captivated not only by her talents in ice skating and cross-country skiing, and her “nice legs,” but by her spirit and determination, Diane married Dave in 1980. Together, they 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 spirit of adventure and community extended to her relationships, which blossomed into lifelong friendships. She began these friendships through a local ad seeking space for a garden and nurtured them with holidays spent in one anothers homes, road trips, and countless shared moments, creating an expansive circle of friends and a second family for her children, known affectionately as their Texas Aunts and Uncles.

Diane’s life was marked by a relentless commitment to confronting challenges head-on, finding creative solutions, and making a positive impact wherever possible. She was never one to shy away from adversity. Whether navigating family dynamics, professional endeavors, or community concerns, Diane sought out ways to contribute and improve. Her resourcefulness was evident in many aspects of her life, including an extended road trip packing three teens and pre-teens into a car and camping in national parks which she organized in response to the challenges of raising teenagers. Her curiosity about the world and desire to share that with others took her on adventures, including a memorable trip tour Central Europe with her teenaged daughter, where Diane obtained a foreign drivers license and they survived a number of mishaps related to European road and traffic differences. Diane’s resolve to overcome obstacles was apparent in the many projects she undertook at home, from climbing 15-foot scaffolds to paint her house despite a fear of heights, to planting trees in her rocky yard by digging out rocks larger than herself. She faced each challenge with determination and ingenuity, even recently training and serving as an election worker to engage with the political process after she found it becoming problematic.

Diane’s love of learning, self-improvement, and finding solutions came together in her pursuit of education. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education (magna cum laude) with a minor in Geology from The University of Texas at Austin while raising her young children. Later, she obtained two master’s degrees from the 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 the Leander Independent School District, starting as a classroom teacher at Whitestone Elementary, progressing to a Gifted and Talented instructor, and ultimately serving as the Librarian at Block House Creek Elementary. Diane’s quest for knowledge extended well beyond the classroom. She immersed herself in the study of nature, gardening, birds, plants, eagerly passing this passion on to her children and grandchildren, neighbors, friends, co-workers, even strangers. She was actively pursuing certification as a Master Naturalist and Gardener at the time of her passing.

Additionally, as an empty-nester, Diane discovered the art of basket weaving, eventually teaching the craft to others of all ages and progressing to many variations on the art. Diane was a pillar of ingenuity, integrity, love, and passion to so many — her family, friends, community, and the countless pets she cared for in her recent role as a dog sitter. 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 improve the world around us.

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 will be held at the Yetter Hall at the Leander VFW in Leander, Texas from 2pm-4pm on January 4th, 2025. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent in Diane’s name to the 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.

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