Ilah M. Raaz

January 15, 1926 - March 28, 2018

Ilah M. Raaz, beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and Friend passed peacefully on March 28, 2018.

Ilah was born in Jefferson, Iowa on January 15, 1926, to George and Ida Richards.  She had one sibling, a brother George (“Bud”) Richards and four daughters, Constance Raaz, Tekla Housley, Wendy Patrick and Barbara Leach.  Ilah was preceded in death by her first husband, Keith Mounce who was killed in World War II and was the father of her unborn daughter, Constance, Quentin W. Raaz, her husband of more than 50 years, her youngest daughter Barbara Leach, her son-in-law, Ted Housley and her brother Bud.  She is survived by her daughters Constance, Tekla and Wendy, her sons-in-law, Dennis and Phil, her grandchildren, Todd, Bryan, Jeff, Stephanie, Tekla Renee, P.J. , and her great-grandchildren Priscilla, Paige, Faith, Ryan, Ilah, Roxie, Luke, Grant, Cole and Ace and many nieces and nephews.

As a young woman, Ilah was fortunate to be able to take piano and dance lessons.   She was also a lifeguard at the local community pool. 

After her husband Quentin Raaz retired from the Air Force, Ilah joined the work force and was the secretary to the Sheriff of the County of San Bernardino, Frank Bland.  She loved her job. 

Ilah lived a full healthy life for 92 years.  An unforeseen virus interrupted her life.  We just knew she was going to live to be 100.  Until she was hospitalized on March 7, 2018, Ilah lived alone, did her banking on-line, sent a daily email to family, made her bed and took care of her personal needs.  Her accomplishments are many.  She rarely complained about aches and pains.  She was most concerned about others and how they were doing.  She loved all of her family unconditionally, was honest, kind, unselfish, generous, loyal, forgiving.  She was a mentor to many young women when she was a military wife and continued to be a mentor to young women during her tenure as an employee with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office. Ilah was a woman ahead of her time.

We miss her now and will continue to miss her but are comforted knowing that her passing was peaceful and she, Quentin, Barbara, Ted and Bud can look over all of us to make sure we are safe.