Renate Pausch Rivera

In Loving Memory

Renate Pausch Rivera

2-10-1944 . 9-23-2018

Renate Rivera (Pausch) of Hawthorne, California, passed away on Sunday, September 23, 2018 at the age of 74. She is survived by her husband Gilbert, son Ricardo, daughter Michelle, grandson Joel, brother Manfred and sister Brigitte.­­ She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Karen.

Renate was born in Nordenburg East Prussia to Charlotte and Rudolf Pausch on February 10, 1944. Rudolf was a high rank German officer who later left his wife and daughter. All alone, Charlotte took 8-month-old Renate and fled by train to West Germany to escape the advancement of the Soviet Union or Red Army, after the German Army vacated the area.

Charlotte married Herman Hausler and in 1957 Herman was able to legally adopt Renate. In 1948, Manfred was born followed by Brigitte and Karen. Renate relished her role as the older sister.

In 1965, she married Gilbert Rivera while he was stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany during his service with the United States Army. They remained in Mainz-Monback for another year and had their son, Ricardo, on April 8, 1966. Shortly thereafter, Gilbert returned to the United States to Colorado after completing his service.

In the summer of 1966 Renate and Ricardo moved to Colorado with Gilbert. They ultimately relocated to Hawthorne, California. On April 18, 1969 Renate and Gilbert welcomed their second child, Michelle Gina Rivera, to complete their family.

Renate raised her children and found employment with TRW earning many awards including a Distinguished Achievement award in 1993 and Outstanding Support for the Alpha Laser Optimization program in 1998. Renate had a strong work ethic and enjoyed learning while progressing her knowledge. She retired from TRW in 2002 and was happy about her success.

Renate loved being around her grandson Joel and Jacqueline “Munch” Kutkus. She spent her free time with her friends and family. She was excited of Joel’s accomplishments and they remained close until she passed away. She was a very loving mother to her children and spoke highly of their successes. Renate was a woman of strong family bonds and kept her loved ones close. She was very proud of her German heritage and culture and spread her love of them with everyone she knew. Her memory will live on in everyone who’s life she touched.

There will be a small service at Luyben Dillday Chapel on October 27, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Renate’s life and share in her memories. After services please come and enjoy refreshments and food following the services at Ricardo’s home. Directions will be provided at the services.

Please call/text Ricardo Rivera at (310) 493 – 9744.

In loving remembrance of

Renate Pausch Rivera

February 10, 1944 – September 23, 2018

He then looked down upon the

Earth, and saw your tired face.

He put his arms around you

And lifted you to rest.

God's garden must be beautiful

He always takes the best.

He saw the road was getting rough,

And the hills were hard to climb,

So he closed your weary eyelids

And whispered "Peace be thine."

It broke our hearts to lose you

But you didn't go alone

For a part of us went with you,

The day God called you home.