Kenneth L. Rau

Kenneth L. Rau, 93 of Sand Lake, died Sunday, May 2, 2010 at Spectrum Health – Blodgett Campus. Mr. Rau was born September 24, 1916 in Grand Rapids, MI the son of Gottlieb and Matilda (Straus) Rau. He served his country in the Marine Corp during World War II in the South Pacific. He started Rau’s Food and Beverage in Grand Rapids in 1948 with his brother Clifford Rau. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed Detroit Tiger Baseball and Notre Dame Football. He enjoyed Big Whitefish Lake for the past 53 years. Surviving are his wife, Norma (Butler) whom he married on October 1, 1949; 2 children, Thomas (Shirley) Rau, Karen (Jack) Hickok; 4 grandchildren, Kenneth Rau, Elizabeth Rau, Timothy Hickok, Eric Hickok; 3 great grandchildren, Samuel, Roxy, and Simon; sister, Betty Rau; brothers, Fred (Mary) Rau, Louis Rau; special niece, Patricia (William) Kubilius; many other nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, Morey (Joanne) Butler; sister-in-law, Margaret Butler. He was preceded in death by 10 brothers and sisters, Marguerite Bowe, Katherine Keller, Clifford, Chester, Wilbur, Herbert, Donald Sr., Richard, Dorothy Novak, and Charles. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, where a Rosary will be recited at 7:30 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday 11:00 am at Mary Queen of Apostles Church, Sand Lake with visitation beginning at 10:00am. Rev. Fr. Joseph W. Kenshol celebrant. Interment with military honors at North Ensley Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Mary Queen of Apostles Church.