Rausch's auto repair shop closes after 57 years

By Caroline Rosacker

After 57 years of keeping area vehicles in tip-top-shape – inside and out — Steve Rausch of Guttenberg has officially retired from the family business – Rausch's auto/body repair shop.

Rausch's Cafe 1967

Steve's parents, Merlin and Joanne Rausch, purchased the property on the first of August 1967. At the time the location had a restaurant, gas station, and one-bay shop with a car hoist and air compressor where the current dining area sets.  

Hilton Homes creates need for expansion

Merlin became well known for his knowledge, and connected with Hilton Homes in Guttenberg, servicing their tower trucks. 

"The bay wasn't big enough so he had to work on them outside," said Steve. "In 1971 he built two more bays that could accommodate the large trucks."

In the 1980's Merlin built the next 75-foot section that would be used for an office and tire warehouse. He eventually retired in 1997. Steve and his former wife, Susie, purchased the business in 1999.

Lifetime employee

"I have worked here all my life and was pumping gas when I was 10-years-old," he remembered. "I was too short and couldn't reach all the way across the windshields to clean them. I was changing oil in the old bay when I was 12 or 13." 

A close friend of Merlin, Henry Kann, talked Steve's father into driving school bus. "I started leaving school an hour early in the seventh grade so I could run the shop and he could drive bus," he recalled. 

Steve learned at his father's side by trial and error, and operated the body shop for 30 years on his own."Cars were a lot simpler back then," he told The Press. "You could figure most things out. Now days everything is electronic and computerized.  You have to keep up with your training."

In addition to repair work, Steve also ran a bulk gas and diesel fuel truck for 25 years through the 1980's until 2003. The gas station, which was the only full service station left in Guttenberg, eventually closed in 2007. 

A family working together

The couple's children have all been employed at the family business through the years. "Joe started when he was 10 or 12 years old and has remained at my side. He helped me plow snow before he was old enough to drive. Phillip and Amanda worked here during their high school years and then went on to other things," he noted. "Susie owns the restaurant and the ground it sets on. Rausch's Cafe will remain open." Heavy lifting, pushing and pulling has taken its toll on Steve's body. "My body is sore and wore out and says it's time to quit," he added.  

For several years rumors spread throughout the community that Steve was interested in selling the auto repair and body shop. Forest Brown spoke to Steve and mentioned if he was interested to give him a call. "This spring I called Forest and let him know I was ready to sell," he commented. 

Retirement plans

Steve has plans to help his wife, Penny, with her second-hand retail shop "Henny Penny's." The couple purchased the former Masonic Hall, and will use the space for storage and as a staging area to promote "Henny Penny's" reception rental equipment.

Steve, a jack-of-all-trades, will have plenty of work to keep him busy as the retail store's repair, pickup and delivery man. "I really enjoyed working on cars all these years, but won't miss working 12 hours a day six-days-a -week," he laughed. "I actually changed the fender on my mom's car today. I kind of enjoyed it." 

Steve is not sure what Forest's intentions are for the shop. "The first two bays have reached their life expectancy. I have to be out by the end of the year. It's a done deal. I wished it would of went another 25 years but it just wasn't going to happen," said Steve. 

Steve and Penny would like to do some traveling, relaxing, and enjoy their grandchildren. 

"I have worked on three generations of family vehicles. It has been an honor to serve my community through the years. I've got my 50 years into the Social Security system; now it's time for me to relax," he concluded.