Janet Rauch

Janet Ellen Rauch, 78, known to many as Jan, passed away on November 29, 2023. She was born on April 5, 1945 in Hayden, Colorado, the daughter of John Walker and Luella Marshall Walker. She married Dr. John P. Rauch in Ruidoso, New Mexico. They built their life in Artesia, where together they established the Artesia Animal Clinic. There they served the veterinary needs of the Artesia area for over 30 years. Jan had a passion for animals that could be seen in the care she took of her beloved pets, even extending to the wild animals that she fed off her back porch. She also shared her love of animals at the Horse Council Arena, where she allowed the youth to compete in events on her horses. Her bonus daughter, Ginger Walker, was among the youths who won competitions on Jan's horses which brought her great joy. She loved to hunt and spent many outings hunting with her husband John, her bonus son, Phil and his family. In addition to that, she also enjoyed fishing and attending professional bull riding events with her granddaughter Kayla. At home, she loved to play marbles and would play a game with anyone who was willing to try to beat her, particularly her sister-in-law Kelly Walker and often times with her husband John and granddaughters, Laci and Kayla. Jan loved spending time with her family. Family was something that she treasured, and her family treasured her. The depth of love that her family had for her can be seen most clearly in the exemplary care that her niece Glenda Collins and great-niece Desirae Thurman took of her as her illness progressed. She could often be seen sitting on the patio talking to her niece and smoking a forbidden cigarette. Those were times she cherished even as she began to forget.

Jan was very well-loved and was a mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend to many. Jan was preceded in death by her parents, brother J.D. Walker, sister Donna Gary, sons Jack P. Rauch and James D. Rauch. She is survived by her husband, Dr. John P. Rauch, daughter Jenette Rauch, bonus son Phil Maxey, bonus daughter Ginger Walker, granddaughters Laci Rauch, Kayla Rauch and Nikki Navarrette, grandson James Navarrette, great-granddaughters Avriella Salazar and Illiana Gonzales, great-grandson, James Navarrette, Jr., nieces Gail Wills, Glenda Collins, Deanna Teel, Joleen Menix, and Debbie Sheumaker and many great and great-great nieces and nephews whose time spent with her was more meaningful to her than they could ever know.

Services for Jan are scheduled at 10:00am, Monday, December 4 at Terpening & Son Mortuary Chapel in Artesia, NM. Dennis Durfee will officiate at the services. No visitation is scheduled.

Burial will be at the Carlsbad Cemetery in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Pallbearers will be Phil Maxey, Jerome Maxey, Doug Collins, Wyatt Briggs, Colt Langenegger and Graham Guy.

Honorary Pallbearers are Damian Sanchez, Drake Thurman and Devyn Thurman who spent many hours hanging out with their favorite great-great aunt and uncle and helped "Aunt Jan" with countless household chores.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Paws & Claws of Artesia, NM.