Marie Esther Raab

Marie Esther Raab, age 90, of Cave Junction, Oregon passed away on May 26, 2023 with all six of her children by her side.

Marie was born on April 19, 1933 in Oakland, California to Thomaso and Delfina Ravera. She attended public schools in Oakland and later took food service and management courses.  Excellence in cooking and baking were always an important part of Marie’s life both at work and at home.

On July 9, 1949, she married Augustine Gutierrez in Glendale, Oregon and with whom she had 8 children. During the 70’s she was an active and proud member of the Blue Star Mothers as she had three sons serving in the military at that time. She also continued to work in the restaurants in the Illinois Valley and in the cafeterias of Evergreen School and Illinois Valley High School.  She loved working with children and would do all that she could to provide them with support and love as well as great food. Elephants were her favorite animal and she collected them in all forms totaling over 200. She loved flowers of all kinds, she loved playing poker with her family, going to the casino, “her” poodle Boo Boo and crocheting sundry items which she shared with everyone.

On May 24, 1986 she married George L. Raab in Cave Junction. With George, she traveled around the country seeing sights and places that she often spoke about with fond memories.  

Marie is survived by six of her children: Ramon Ravera of Cave Junction, Carlos (Randi) Gutierrez of Selma, Oregon, Amelia (Peter) Maluk of Grants Pass, Oregon, Diana (George) Mosier of Grants Pass, Greg (Lona) Gutierrez of Cave Junction, Oregon, and Anna Gutierrez (Mike) Gorham of Central Point, Oregon. She had two stepchildren: Sue (Mike) Hirigoyen of Shingle Springs, California, and Bill Raab of Lincoln, California. In addition, Marie had 19 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren and 2 step-great grandchildren.

In addition, she leaves her brothers John (Jackie) Ravera of Diamond Springs, California, Tom (Steve) Ravera of San Jose, California, sisters Anna Pena of Alburn, California, Angie Pena of Salinas, California, Rosie McCarty of Modesto, California, Josephine (Bertha) Ravera of San Jose, California, Ruby (Joe) Trevino of San Jose, California.

She is preceded in death by her husband, George Raab; a son Thomas Gutierrez who died in infancy; a son, Mario Gutierrez; brother Gilio Ravera; and sisters Rita Brown, Mary Ravera and Catherine Gasman.

A memorial is being held on Monday, June 5, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Eagle Point National Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Maluk residence in Grants Pass.

Marie’s family sends heartfelt thanks to Asante Three Rivers Medical Center, Bristol Hospice and especially to granddaughter, Victoria D. Lopez for her tender, compassionate care during Marie’s final days.