Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 270853
Title: Clarence L. Rau
Date: 10/5/1930-11/13/2023
Inscription/Marks: 10/5/1930
Summary: Clarence Rau, 93, Dickinson, ND, passed away November 13, 2023, at his residence in Park Avenue Villa, Dickinson, with his loving family by his side. Funeral services were held November 18, 2023, at Stevenson Funeral Home in Dickinson. Burial was in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND, with Military Honors presented by VFW Post 707. Clarence Leonard Rau was born October 5, 1930, and raised on a farm in the Anamoose, ND area. When he turned 21, he offered his services to the United States of America and joined the Air Force. In the Air Force he was in ground transportation and guarded the ammunition stockpile. He served in the Korean War for four years. When he returned from Korea, he married the love of his life, Fern Beverly Knuth. They were married for 67½ years and had four children: Melody, Cindy, Tammy and Wayne. During the first years of marriage, Clarence worked on the railroad and helped his brother-in-law farm. He then went to trade school at Wahpeton School of Science and became manager of Ford Auto Body for two years in Pelican Rapids, MN. He had to leave this industry because of health issues. He did not miss a beat and picked up a new trade in the upholstery business in Fargo. In 1961, the family moved to Dickinson and he worked as a manager at Conlin Upholstery. After moving to Williston in 1963, he opened his own upholstery shop where he and his beloved wife worked as a team. There was always a friendly rivalry as to who was boss! In 2002, Clarence retired from the upholstery business. Because of his work ethic and personality, he decided to work part-time at Walmart. When the kids asked how he liked it, he would respond “best job ever.” In 2012, Clarence and Fern moved to Bismarck where they lived for ten years. In May of 2022, they moved to Dickinson where they lived at Park Avenue Villa and this is where he passed away after a brief illness. Clarence was a hero to all of his kids: teaching them hard work, dedication, and honesty. He was known for his allencompassing love and loyalty to his wife, kids and the rest of his extended family. His positive attitude, humming while he went through life and ‘always’ holding his wife’s hand will always be remembered. Clarence was a huge fan of the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, sports, Fox News, his church, putting puzzles together, playing cards and games. He loved golfing, especially with his grandchildren. Clarence was very dedicated to his country, community and church. He was involved with the Lions, Odd Fellows, chairman of the Restoration Board of the old Armory in Williston, lifetime member of DAV and American Legion. He was also a member of and church moderator of First Union Church (Williston) and later a member at McCabe Methodist in Bismarck and Dickinson United Methodist. Clarence leaves behind his beloved Fern; children, Melody Olson (Jeff Siebert), Cindy Forbes (Jay Trantham); Tammy Kearney, and Wayne (Gloria) Rau; nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; sister, Leona. Preceding him in death were his mother and father; sister, Irene; and brother, Marvin.
Red ID: FND_I_78350

Collection: FND001 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Date: -

Summary: The North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program is sponsored by the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association. The life stories of deceased North Dakotans are featured in an archvied collection. Current partners in the project are Eastgate Funeral & Cremation Services, Bismarck Evans Funeral Homes, Carrington and New Rockford Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home, Williston Fulkerson Funeral Home, Tioga Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Williston Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck Springan Stevenson Funeral Home, Stanley Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson These funeral homes provide recent obituaries to the Foundation, where staff and volunteers format, edit and archive each memorial. The memorials are posted, and copies are sent to the family for their input and approval. The listing currently features more than 13,000 memorials, and is constantly updated as new memorials and histories are received.

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