Former Palos Baton Studio Owner And Instructor Dies At Age 86

PALOS HEIGHTS, IL -- A beloved baton and dance instructor who ran studios in the Chicago area has passed away. Yvonne “Von” Raschke, 86, died Jan. 31 in her home in Georgetown,Texas. Known as Von DuClos during her 30-year residency in Palos Heights, she ran her own award-winning studio where she taught baton twirling and acrobatics to local youngsters. A private family gathering is planned.

She was born on Sept. 15, 1931 to “Shorty” and Vivian Forbus of Brownfield, Texas. Ms. Raschke was married to King DuClos of Chicago from 1952 to 1967, and later to Fred Raschke of Texas in October 1977 until his death in 2004.

Ms. Raschke attended Sul Ross State College and Texas Western University (now the University of Texas at El Paso) on band scholarships where she was an accomplished baton twirler. Following college, she moved to Palos Heights. While in the Chicago area, she opened her own business, Von’s School of Baton. Many young people twirled their way through competitions and parades under her tutelage. She later partnered with Dee’s Dance Studio in Worth, teaching baton and acrobatics while Dee taught tap and ballet.

She married Fred Raschke in October 1977, and taught special education in Lubbock and the Brady School Districts. Ms. Raschke retired from teaching in 1998 and moved to Georgetown.

Her son, King Scott DuClos of Georgetown, predeceased her.

Ms. Raschke is survived by her daughter, Keri, and son-in-law, Tony, of Anchorage, Alaska; daughter- in-law, Niki, of Georgetown; four grandchildren: her grandson Brandon Barter and his wife, Cathy; Julie Barter, Steven DuClos and Paul DuClos; and two great-granddaughters: Cora Barter and Calista Barter.

No formal service is planned, Her family will have a private gathering. Von was fiercely independent, loved deeply, and will be sincerely missed. Friends and former students may leave their condolences and memories on the online guestbook.