Alton R. Rau was born Sept. 26, 1926, in
Linton, to Jacob and Regina (Fischer) Rau. He graduated from
Linton public schools and attended the University of North
Dakota in Grand Forks. While visiting a patient at the
Bismarck Hospital, Alton met the love of his life and told
his brother Benjamin that he was going to marry the
beautiful registered nurse Gertrude Bauer. In true Alton Rau
form, he followed through with his plan and married Gertrude
on Sept. 4, 1949, in Zeeland, making their home in Linton
for 67 years. Alton's career with Standard Oil spanned 34
years as a Marketing Rep, Bulk Agent and owning and
operating the Rau Oil Company. After retiring, Alton and
Gertrude spent many of their winters living in Arizona where
they enjoyed spending their time being with family and
friends.
Alton was an active member of Peace Lutheran Church where he
served on various church committees, the Linton Jaycees, and
the Linton Civic Club. He also became a Lifetime Member of
the Linton Fireman's, where he had served over the years as
the Secretary, Treasurer, Asst. Chief, and as their Chief
for three years.
With the love and support from his family and blessings of
His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to welcome him home, Alton
passed away peacefully at the Linton Hospital on Wednesday,
April 19, 2017.
He is survived by his wife Gertrude; his daughter and
son-in-law Cynthia and Gary Timm, Phoenix, Ariz.; and his
son Tom Rau and his best friend Dana Vogt in Rapid City,
S.D. He has four beautiful granddaughters, Elizabeth Breed,
Christine Southerland, Anna Rau and Sasha Rau; and four
special great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his
parents; brothers Ernest and Benjamin; and sisters Bertha,
Alvina and Martha.
Alton's family extends a special thank you to the staff of
the Strasburg Care Center and Linton Hospital for their care
of Alton. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in his
name to the Peace Lutheran Church, Linton.
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Gertrude Alice Rau
was born Aug. 16, 1924, in Zeeland, to Gerhard and
Christine (Pfeifer) Bauer. She graduated with top academic
honors from both Northwest Academy, Mobridge, S.D., and
Bismarck Evangelical Hospital's School of Nursing where she
received her registered nursing degree. While working at the
Bismarck Hospital, Gertrude met Alton Rau who from the
moment he saw her made it is his mission to marry her. Alton
and Gertrude were married on Sept. 4, 1949, in Zeeland, and
made their home in Linton for 67 years. During Gertrude's
professional career she worked as a registered nurse at the
Bismarck, Grafton & Linton hospitals and also worked part
time at the Strasburg Care Center, Strasburg. During their
retirement years, Gertrude and Alton spent their winters
living in Arizona where they enjoyed traveling and spending
their time being with family and friends.
Gertrude was an active member of Peace Lutheran Church where
she served in various church organizations and charities and
served for 50 years as the church's organist. Gertrude loved
to get together and to chat on the phone with her
girlfriends and enjoyed being a member of their birthday
club. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, ceramics, all kinds of
crafts, trying new recipes, games and providing a beautiful
and loving home for her family. She delighted in the time
she was able to spend with her grandchildren and great
grandchildren.
With the love and support from her family and blessings of
her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Gertrude passed away
peacefully at the Strasburg Care Center on Nov. 21, 2017,
into the loving arms of her beloved Alton who was waiting
for her to join him in their home for all eternity.
Gertrude is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Cynthia
and Gary Timm, Phoenix, Ariz., and her son Tom Rau and his
best friend Dana Vogt, Rapid City, S.D. She has four
beautiful granddaughters (Elizabeth Breed, Christine
Southerland, Anna Rau and Sasha Rau), four special
great-grandchildren (Morgan and Maxwell Southerland and Lou
and Vivian Breed), her sister Darlyne Williams and brothers
Gordan (Nancy) and Donald (Sandy) Bauer. She was preceded in
death by her husband, Alton, her parents and her brother,
Harold Bauer.
Gertrude's family extends a special thank you to the staff
of the Strasburg Care Center and Linton Hospital for their
care of her. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in
her name to the Peace Lutheran Church, Linton.
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