Robert Charles Rau

Robert C. Rau, age 89, passed away quietly at his home on Saturday, August 16, 2014 with his family near. He was born May 30, 1925 in Horton Township the second oldest child of William and Esther (Bragg) Rau and resided his whole life in Ogemaw County. He graduated from St. Joseph High School and completed an agriculture course at Michigan State University. On August 14, 1948 he married Doris M. Schneider at what is now Holy Family Catholic Church. Together they raised four children. She predeceased him just short of their 50th anniversary on June 21, 1998. They shared a love of fishing. They especially enjoyed ice fishing the Munuscong close to their cabin near Pickford and traveled throughout much of the United States and Canada. Bob’s other love was farming. He was very proud of the family farm which he and Doris started when they purchased the first farm in 1951 and they gradually kept adding more acreage. In 1984 he and his two sons went into partnership in Cedar Lane Dairy Farm. He “retired” in 1988. He also worked in the oil fields and loaded out boxcars of hay to supplement the farm income. He was proud of the many young high school men who worked on the farm over the years, many of them living with the family. In 2011 he hosted a 60th anniversary party at the farm for former hired men, family and friends to celebrate the progress of the operation. Surviving him are his children; Diane (Ronald) Bartlett of Sterling, Susan (Randy) Wangler, Robert A. (Deborah) Rau and Mark (Vicki) Rau all of West Branch. Twelve grandchildren; Jon (Janice) Bartlett, April (Ryan) Raymond, Jason (Rachel) Bartlett, Kristi (Jared) Yenna, Chad Wangler, Brent (Alexandra) Wangler, Carrie Rau, Rob (Lacy) Rau, Tony Rau (Lady Munoz-Toro), Christen (Travis) Ockerman, Michael (Jackie) Rau and Kelli Rau. Bob has 21 Great-Grandchildren with two more arriving later this year. His siblings Marie (Junior) Clemens, Helen (John) Baker, Charlie (Betty) Rau, Alice (Harold) Chemeaux and sister-in-law Evelyn Rau also survive him, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Besides his wife he was predeceased by his parents, and siblings, Leon Rau, Keith (Mavis) Rau, Bethel Byrnes and his father and mother in-law Lawrence and Elva Schneider. On July 18, 2000 he married Donna Neubecker at St. Joseph Catholic Church. She predeceased him July 5, 2013. They enjoyed country music, dancing and traveling together. Her four children Jean Neubecker, Ronald (Deb) Neubecker, Mary (Tim) Winter and Thomas (Kristi) Neubecker and their families also survive him. Bob was an avid hunter and would relate his escapades to anyone interested. He belonged to the Eleven + One Hunting Club near Oscoda and enjoyed time spent hunting whitetails, playing cards and swapping tales with the other members. He went on caribou hunts to St. James Bay. He pheasant hunted in South Dakota and Michigan’s Thumb many times over the years, hunted mule deer and antelope out west, and was still a successful turkey hunter at age 87. Bob loved to play Euchre and made some good friends playing Wednesday nights. Many times he hosted games Thursday afternoons at his house where he would serve his zucchini bread or cookies. He took great pride in his cookie and pie baking skills. He also loved to share the harvest from his garden and fruit trees with anyone who stopped in. He was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, a member of the Knights of Columbus for 67 years, Farm Bureau, Michigan Milk Producers Association, Federal Land Bank Board, Ogemaw County Road Commission, West Branch Farmers Co-op Board, and served on the ASCS Committee and MABC. His family would like to thank the staff at Bortz Health Care of West Branch for their excellent rehabilitation and care for Dad after his fall, Hospice of Helping Hands for supporting us in getting him back home, and special thanks to Mona White for her compassionate care for Dad when we were not available. Visitation will be at Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch on Tuesday, August 19 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with the K of C leading a rosary at 7:00 p.m. Bob will lie in state on Wednesday, August 20 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in West Branch from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m., with Fr. Patrick Maher officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the St. Joseph School Technology Fund, Ogemaw Co. Relay for Life, or Hospice of Helping Hands.