Michael George Rau

May 4, 1942 - September 3, 2021

Michael George Rau passed away on Friday, September 3, 2021. He was born May 4, 1942 in Bemidji, Minnesota to George “Skip” Rau and Ena Hanson Rau. Mike and his first wife, Carol Rau-Wren, were the proud parents of son Eric Loren Rau, and daughter Monique Teresa Sikich (husband Dave). Mike and Carol divorced after 20 years in 1987. In 1989 Mike married Sue Lloyd Rokus, also embracing her four children: Phillip Joseph Rokus (wife Kim), Michael Anthony Rokus (wife Sheri), Patti Sue Rokus, and John Mathew Rokus (wife Kathleen). Grandchildren: Heather Green (husband Morgan), Keaton Rau (wife Amber, daughters Kyrah and Ariyana), Hayden Rau; and Tyler Sikich. Samantha Rokus (son Steven); Shelby Sjorgren (husband Darren), Daniel Rokus, Patric Rokus, Austen Rokus (wife Danielle), and Luke Rokus (wife Carley). He is preceded in death by his father, mother, and two brothers John and Dan Rau. Mike had a Huckleberry Finn kind of childhood with the freedom to explore and adventure in the woods and lakes of rural Minnesota with his younger brother Dan while his mother worked long hours to support the little family, being a single mother. After high school graduation, Mike joined the Army working to install guided missile silos where his natural skills for building and engineering were developed. After being discharged from the Army, he was employed with Western Electric, Automatic Electric in Germany, AT&T, Lucent Technologies, and finally retiring from Nokia. As a side occupation and his greatest interest, he built 4 beautiful homes. For most of his adult life he was a skilled 4-wheeler and camper. A responsible dare devil?! That was him! At about age 30, Mike and family became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, forever changing the direction of his life. His life-mission was to serve God and his fellowman. He was indeed “salt of the earth.”