The Robert and Neola Raasch Scholarship was established in 2021 in memory of Robert P. (1933-2003) and Neola M. Raasch (1935-2025) by their son and daughter-in-law, Clay and Kristie Raasch.

Robert served in various volunteer positions at his home WELS congregations. He also served at the district and synodical levels (e.g., District Mission Board, Coordinating Council) and was a driving force in establishing Resurrection Lutheran School in Rochester, Minnesota.

Neola served in regional and national roles for the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) and in various volunteer roles at her local congregations. She was a member of the MLC Auxiliary for many years and also a member of MLC’s Support and Outreach Legacy Association (SOLA).

“Our mom and dad were both dearly loved and now dearly missed. Their love for Jesus was apparent in their words and actions,” Clay said, indicating his parents’ own confessions of faith.

In his will Robert wrote, “I have placed all my hope of life hereafter in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. His death and resurrection have given my life meaning and make my death a peaceful passage to eternal life in heaven. I commend my loved ones into the hands of the Lord and encourage them to place their faith and trust in Him alone for their salvation.”

Neola’s faith statement, written in her own handwriting and shared at her funeral, was based on 3 John 4, with a generational extension in parentheses: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children (and grandchildren) are walking in the truth.”

Robert and Neola’s dedication inspired their children to become Christian servant-leaders themselves. While not in full-time ministry, they recognized the distinct value of WELS Lutheran schools and ensured that each of their children received a Christ-centered education.

They especially valued the biblical training WELS pastors receive, including learning the original languages of the Bible. But they also knew that one does not need to have the answer to every biblical question in order to lead others to Jesus. Anyone can simply invite others to hear the truth.

“Through this scholarship,” Clay says, “we want to encourage others to share their faith in Jesus while pursuing the public ministry training that MLC offers.”

Robert and Neola Raasch Scholarship winners are sophomore, junior, or senior preseminary students who demonstrate gifts for evangelism.