Arthur J. Rau (Art)

Long Lake, SD

1937, 793, Hill City, F-9,
1938, 2754, Wall (Badlands), NP-2,
1939, 792, Roubaix, F-6,

Funeral services for Art Rau, 96, Aberdeen will be 1:00 pm, Tuesday, August 19 at Zion Lutheran Church with Pastor Marcia Sylvester officiating and military honors by Sidney L. Smith American Legion Post 24. Private burial at Woodlawn Cemetery, Sioux Falls, SD. Art died Saturday, August 16, 2014 at Avera Mother Joseph Manor.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main St. is in charge of arrangements.

Arthur Rau was born on December 18, 1917 at Long Lake, SD to John and Magdelena (Wolff) Rau. He grew up on the farm and being the oldest child, he had to work on the farm. Art was in the CCC until 1939. One work assignment was helping build the Mitchell Dam near Hill City, SD. Art was drafted into the US Army on March 7, 1942 and was honorably discharged on October 12, 1945. On July 25, 1944 he married Martha Feickert at Leola, SD. They made their home in Aberdeen where he worked for Kyburz Construction. In 1965 they moved to Sioux Falls where he worked for Henry Carlson Company. Martha died on February 1, 1966. On June 17, 1966 he married Freda Opp and in 1972 they returned to Aberdeen where he worked for Kyburz-Carlson Construction. He was construction superintendent for many jobs in Aberdeen including the Federal Building, Woolworths, J.C. Penny's, Howard Hedger School, Lincoln School, May Overby School and Storybook Land. He semi-retired in 1992 with over 40 years of dedicated service to Kyburz-Carlson Construction. Freda died on November 23, 1994. On April 11, 1998 he married Lucille Sherman, she passed away on June 5, 2013.

Art was a member of Zion Lutheran Church. He was also a member of the VFW, the Moose, and the Eagles. He was a lifetime member of the Sidney L. Smith American Legion Post 24.

He was very family oriented and one of his greatest joys was spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Grateful for having shared Art's life are his children, Roger (Cheri) Rau, Omaha, NE, Linda (Dan) Schmillen, Denver, Co, Sandra (Paul) Wermerson, Sioux Falls, Kathy (Mike) Berry, Rapid City, Robin (Scott) Quick, Omaha, NE, ten grandchildren, six great grandchildren, step children, Leroy (Ann Crampton) Opp, Dennis (Angie) Hochkammer, Alan (Linda) Opp, Willis (Patti) Opp, Susan Anderson, numerous step grandchildren and great grandchildren, siblings, Ella (Gerhard) Hoffman, Harvey (Lorraine) Rau and Alvin (Phyllis) Rau.

He is preceded in death by his wives, Martha, Freda and Lucille, parents, John and Magdelena Rau, step daughter, Ginger Walker, brothers, Gottlieb Rau, Ervin Rau, Arthur Rau, Jr. and Leonard Rau.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff at Avera Mother Joseph Retirement Home for the excellent care they provided for their father the last six years.

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