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Ellen Irene (Rasche) Jochem
Ellen Irene (Rasche) Jochem, born September 28, 1942, passed away peacefully
surrounded by her family on May 29, 2026.
Ellen was the daughter of Paul and Freida (Schepers-Kiefer) Rasche. She married
Ralph Jochem on April 29, 1961, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ireland, Indiana.
She is survived by her three sons, Mark (Yvonne) Jochem, Kevin (Geralyn) Jochem,
and Robert (Gina) Jochem, all of Ferdinand; and two daughters, Janet (Brian)
Vonderheide of Ferdinand and Lisa (Anthony) Striegel of Schnellville. She is also
survived by fourteen grandchildren—Jessica Vaal, Nicholas Jochem, Kellie
McManaway, Scott Jochem, Kenneth Jochem, Caroline Jochem, Jennifer Sanders,
Jared Merter, Heather Souders, Elizabeth Jochem, Sarah Jochem, Travis Vonderheide,
Anna Striegel, and Seth Striegel—and eighteen great-grandchildren. She is further
survived by her brother, Arnold Rasche of Ireland.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ralph Jochem; her brother,
Stephen Rasche; and her sister-in-law, Joan Rasche.
Ellen was a housewife who worked alongside her family on the farm. She enjoyed
working outdoors, tending to her garden, landscaping, and caring for her flower beds.
She also enjoyed weed eating, playing cards, and traveling. She was a member of the
Dubois County Museum, the Dubois County Historical Society, Ferdinand Senior
Citizens, and St. Henry Christian Mothers.
Ellen was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who cherished her
family and treasured the time she spent with them. She was known by many for hosting
daily lunches on the farm, where family and friends gathered over the years. She will be
greatly missed.
Funeral services will be Monday, June 1st at 11:00 AM ET at St. Henry Catholic
Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Friends may call on Sunday, May 31 st from 4-8:00 PM ET at Becher Funeral Home
in Ferdinand and also on Monday at St. Henry Catholic Church from 9:00 AM until
services at 11:00.

