Debra Eleanor Moore Rauer, 93
Debra Eleanor Moore Rauer, 93, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 28, 2007, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
Debra was born in Rock Creek, Mont., on March 8, 1914, to Charles and Carrie (Williamson) Moore. She was the youngest of five daughters. The Moore family moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, in 1916 just after Debra almost drowned in the swift Yellowstone River. She grew up and attended schools in Sandpoint.
Debra gave her heart and life to the Lord at the young age of 7 and accepted God as her Savior.
She had a God-given talent of playing the piano without ever being given music lessons. Debra began at a young age playing the piano for church meetings, weddings, visiting evangelists, friends and family. She always had time to play the piano for those who would request special songs and the old hymns of the church.
Debra's life centered around her love of God, her love for her family, friends and neighbors, and her love of music. She could always be found giving assistance to someone.
Her last few years were spent at The Four Seasons Assisted Living where she played the piano for the House Choir and participated in the Red Hatters Sew-Society.
Debra married Floyd Rauer on April 6, 1930, in Sandpoint where their three children were born and where they made their home for more than 30 years. Floyd and Debra loved to swim in Lake Pend Oreille and enjoyed the 25-foot auxiliary cruiser sailboat with two masts which Floyd built in the late 1930's. The Rauers also enjoyed traveling in their RV prior to and after Floyd's retirement. Debra enjoyed sitting around campfires playing her accordion and river rafting.
Debra was asked in October 1948, to play the piano for a revival service being held at the Sandpoint Community Church which was becoming affiliated with the Assemblies of God. She remained at the A/G church becoming a member and serving as the church pianist and the Sunday School Superintendent until moving to Coeur d'Alene in October, 1966. Floyd and Debra transferred their A/G membership to the Coeur d'Alene Assembly of God Church where she again served as church pianist, Sunday School superintendent and church greeter in later years. Debra was also active in the Women's Missions group and the Church's Senior Citizens group.
Debra is survived by daughter Betty (Sevoy) Pennel of Sandpoint; son F. Douglas (Carol) Rauer of Lodi, Calif.; grandsons Larry (Cindy) Pennel of Coeur d'Alene, David (Dina) Rauer of Tucson, Ariz., Brian Chatwin of Nine Mile Falls, Wash., and Jack (Margie) Rauer of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and granddaughter Ann Rauer of San Bernardino, Calif. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, two step-great-grandchildren and five step-great-great grandchildren; her nephews; two cousins living in Texas and her many friends. Debra was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Floyd of 71 years; son Jack H. Rauer; granddaughter Debra L. Rauer; grandson Charlie Rauer; and four sisters, Daisy Weskil, Vela Sletager, Flossie Bates-Hansen and Lottie Kennedy.
A celebration of Debra's life will be 10 a.m. on Friday, May 4, 2007, at the Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene Chapel, 744 North 4th Street, Coeur d'Alene with Pastor Dan Christ of the Assembly of God Church of Coeur d'Alene officiating. Inurnment will take place at the Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens near her husband Floyd of 71 years.
Please visit Debra's memorial and sign her online guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com