Rau, Alfred E (1921-2017)

RAU, LARSON, STROBEL, MERCHANT

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:02

Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa, November 28, 2017

Alfred E. “Al” Rau, 96, of Story City died November 25, 2017 at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. Funeral services will be Thursday, November 30 at 10:30 a.m. at Grace United Methodist Church in Story City. Burial will follow in the Center Cemetery near Story City.

Al was born on October 29, 1921 and raised in a farm home in McLaughlin, SD during the depression and dustbowl days. He was the 5th child of six born to John and Emila Rau.

He graduated from the McLaughlin High School class of 1941. Then he enrolled at the Brookings State College before being drafted into the military in 1942. He served during WWII in the Army Air Corp for 3 1/2 years of which one was in the European Theatre. Al was discharged from the military service in 1946 and returned to his home farm in SD and enrolled in Westmar College in LeMars, IA and made the heartfelt commitment to the ministry. During these years, he met Katherine L. Larson of Story City and they were married after his graduation in 1949. In the fall he and his new wife moved to the Naperville, IL where he enrolled at the Evangelical Theological Seminary. He was ordained in 1952 as a pastor in the Iowa Evangelical United Brethren Conference which merged with the Methodist Church to become the United Methodist Church in 1968. Al and Kathy served parishes in Ventura, Webster City/Mulberry Center and Coon Rapids before retiring to Story City after 37 years in the ministry. He also was very active and served on numerous community and conference committees.

Al and Kathy’s marriage was blessed and enriched with the gift of four sons, Geoffrey (mother Mary deceased in 1944), Stephen, Keith and Chad.

In his leisure time with his family and in their retirement years he enjoyed learning to fly, traveling, camping, hiking, biking, photography, painting, woodworking, restoring cars and antiques. To Al life was a precious gift from God to be lived fully in His name. Al continued to be active and involved in all of these activities throughout his life.

Preceding him in death was his wife, Katherine of 56 years, his son Geoffrey (wife Shirley) of Des Moines; two brothers, Reiny and Leo and a sister, Virginia. Surviving him are three sons, Steve (Linda) of Gunnison, CO, Keith (Julie) of Iowa Falls and Chad (Carrie) of Salt Lake City, UT; many grandchildren and great grandchildren and two sisters, Freda Strobel of Rapid City, SD and LaVida Merchant of Weslaco, TX.

One of many favored Bible verses is from the Apostle Paul, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God to Salvation to all who believe.” A favorite motto/prayer: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 7 at the Soderstrum Funeral Home in Story City.