Emporia mourns grade school teacher, 28, found dead in snow. ‘Give your mom a hug’
The death of Rebecca Rauber, a 28-year-old grade school teacher who went missing Friday in Emporia, Kansas — only to be found Sunday, dead in the freezing snow — has prompted an outpouring of grief, shock and appreciation from those who knew and loved her.
“Oh dear Rebecca,” wrote one family member. “How is this possible... I don’t even have the words... I’ve gone through the 100’s and 100’s of pictures I’ve taken and I just keep looking at your beautiful smile and keep thinking about your infectious laugh! You were such a beautiful soul and always up for anything!”
The post, with a photo of a beaming Rauber in front of crystal blue water, spoke of a family vacation in Maui with Rauber dancing at a luau. “Our family vacations will never be the same without you... The sky has finally opened — fly high dear! Give your mom a hug for us... Love you.”
Rauber’s mother, Brenda Sue Rauber died in January 2022 at age 56, an obituary shows. It notes that Rebecca was one of three children that included Bailey Rauber and Aaron Rauber, and father Ty Rauber.
Rauber, who was a second grade teacher at Riverside Elementary School in Emporia, had gone missing Friday, when she left the Town Royal bar, 405 Commercial St., shortly before midnight, leaving her purse, cellphone and jacket behind.
She walked away from the bar and headed down nearby roads on the eve of a massive snow storm, with the wind chill dipping toward negative 10 degrees. She was not seen alive again.
Search for Rebecca Rauber
Her disappearance on Friday prompted the Emporia Police Department to issue a missing person alert less than two hours later, at 1:13 a.m. Saturday.
A search ensued into Sunday, bringing in the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office and Search and Rescue Kansas. Surveillance videos from nearby businesses and residents’ homes were used to track Rauber’s movements.
On Sunday evening, with the help of K-9 patrol bloodhounds, Rauber was found about one mile away from the bar, and about 300 yards from where she was last seen on video.
“Rebecca was located in a wooded area,” the police said in a printed statement Sunday. “At this time, it appears, Rebecca may have succumbed to hypothermia early on in her disappearance, as she was covered in snow due to the snowstorm that became heavy on Saturday, January 24th.”
Emporia teacher remembered
Rauber is originally from Wichita.
On Monday, a “Community Wide Night of Prayer” is scheduled in her honor at and remembrance in Emporia at Emporia Church of Christ, 502 W. 12th St. The Emporia Public School District, USD 253, released a statement, calling Rauber a “valued member of our school community.”
“Our hearts are with Ms. Rauber’s family, friends, students, and all who were touched by her life and dedication to education,” the statement read. “(H)er loss is felt deeply across our district.”
That loss is being expressed online.
“Rebecca Rauber had the most radiant smile, and bodacious laugh that could light up a room. I was so lucky to have the opportunity to be in her orbit. She will be dearly missed,” wrote a colleague.
Said a mentor: “I got to know her and see first hand what an absolute treasure of a person and amazing educator she was. Becca will be remembered for the genuine connection she made with people, her bubbly personality, and how she was loved by all.”
This story was originally published January 26, 2026 at 3:54 PM.
