Otto E. Rau

Rau, Otto E. Freeland, Michigan Mr. Rau passed away Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at Covenant Health Care-Harrison in Saginaw, Michigan at the age of 94 years. He was born April 15, 1920 in Bay City. Otto was a devoted member of St. John's Lutheran Church of Amelith, a life time farmer and retired as the head grounds man at Delta College. He had a great love for the outdoors, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and working in his garden. Mr. Rau is survived by seven children and their spouses; Judy and Dick Kraenzlein of Freeland, Dennis and Diane Rau of Saginaw, Jean and Bob Wegener of Merrill, Linda and Rick Schroeder of Beaverton, Annette and Thomas Klumpp of Bay City, Mary and Mickey Gray of Beaverton and Joy and Scott Mollenhauer of Central Asia, twenty five grandchildren; Rene Darr, Amy (Dean) Davenport, Scott (Amy) Kraenzlein, Joel (Michelle) Kraenzlein, Becki Rau, Shelly (Craig) Bartholomy, Karri (Tony) Dill, Michael (Robin) Rau, Peggy (Bruce) Shepherd, Kelly Sanchez, Robert Wegener Jr., Rick (Danna) Schroeder, Nicole Schroeder, Ryan Schroeder, Kyle (Charisse) Klumpp, Nicholas (Molly) Klumpp, Justin Klumpp, Cory Gray, Brett Gray, Krissy (Mike) LoPresti, Aleiyah Mollenhauer, Abygail Mollenhauer, Alexandra Mollenhauer, Elijah Mollenhauer and Aubrey Mollenhauer, thirty five great grandchildren, four great great grandchildren and the family is expecting the fifth and many nieces and nephews. On October 19, 1941 he married the former Emily M. Leinberger and she preceded him in death February 12, 2004. He was also preceded in death one daughter; Gail Rau on July 27, 1982, one grandson; John Kraenzlein, one granddaughter; Tara Schroeder and one grandson-in-law; Roberto Sanchez. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Stone Crest Assisted Living for the kind and compassionate care they extended to Mr. Rau during the time they cared for him. Funeral Services will take place Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church of Amelith 1664 Amelith Road Bay City, MI 48706. Officiating will be Rev. Stephen P. Starke with interment following in the Church Cemetery. Friends may call at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. Monday from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Mr. Rau will be taken to the church on Tuesday to lie in state from 10:00 a.m. and until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider a memorial contribution to St. John's Lutheran School or to Youth With a Mission (Joy and Scott's Mission) .