Kathleen Marie Rau, “Kathy”, 66, of Eau Claire, WI passed away on Monday, October 5th, 2015 at Heritage Assisted Living in Eau Claire, WI following a courageous fight with ovarian cancer. True to her spirit though, she made sure that cancer knew she wasn’t going quietly.
Kathy was born on August 22nd, 1949. She was the first of three daughters born to Elsie and Donald Anderson. She graduated from Eau Claire Memorial High School in 1967 and from UW-Eau Claire with a degree in accounting. She married Richard Rau and had two children, Jeffrey and Nicole.
While Kathy embarked on a career as a mother and an accountant, her true passion was serving her church family at Trinity Lutheran Church. She assisted in many areas including the hand bell choir (or “Ding Dongs” as she called them), Sunday Donuts and Fellowship, and the Wedding Coordinator team. She was particularly passionate about the Mission Jamaica Mission trips. She helped in planning multiple fundraisers – everything from selling handmade lefse and apple pies to coordinating silent auctions. She went on many of the Mission Trips to Jamaica – touching the hearts and lives of many children and adults.
Kathy’s personal passion was for anything Disney. She visited Walt Disney World shortly after it opened in 1971. This led to a love affair that included many return trips and passing her passion along to her children. She considered herself a true Disney fanatic.
Kathy is preceded into Heaven by her father Donald Anderson and her baby sister Donna Jean Anderson. She is survived by her mother Elsie (Paul) Falkner of Eau Claire, WI; her daughter Niki (Ryan) Yarrington of Colfax, WI; her son Jeff (Heather) Rau of Celebration, FL; her sister Barb (Mark) Johnson of Chetek, WI; her five grandchildren Erik, Owen & Julia Rau and Ashton & Mason Yarrington; her niece Shannon (Caleb) Riebe and grand-niece Kyra; and many step-brothers, step-sisters, cousins and members of her special church family. And of course Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto and the rest of the gang.
The family would like to thank the wonderful doctors and nurses in the oncology department at Mayo Health System and wonderful caregivers at Heritage Assisted Living, Dove Healthcare, and St. Croix Hospice for all they did for Kathy.
Funeral services will take place at 11 am on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1314 E. Lexington Blvd., Eau Claire, WI 54701 with Pastor Kurt Jacobson officiating. Burial will take place in the Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Pigeon Falls on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 pm. Visitation will take place Friday, October 9, 2015 at Fuller Speckien Hulke Funeral Home from 4-7 pm and Saturday morning at the church an hour prior to the service.
Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.fullerspeckienhulke.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Kathy's name to the Trinity Endowment Global Mission Fund.
Fuller Speckien Hulke Funeral Home, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Peggy Moore (Fasbender)
My deepest condolences go to Kathy's family and friends. May she rest in peace.
Steve Engedal
I am so sorry for our and your loss. She was a good friend in H.S. and fun to talk to and catch up with when we would run into each other around town.
Jean Behnke (Wisnewski)
So sorry to hear of the loss of another classmate. Deepest sympathies for her family and friends.
Carolyn Berg (Kinville)
Sorry to hear of the loss of Kathhleen Anderson Rau!!!!!! She seemed to live a wonderful life, and had such a wonderful family!! God Bless Kathleen and Rest in Peace!!!
Carolyn Berg Kinville
Catherine McRae (Haasl)
My condolences to Kathy's family and friends. She was one of my best friends ever; will miss her smile and laugh and her 'tell it like it is' way. Rest in peace, Kath. You will be missed!
Linda Flaten (Gonyo)
Kathy was a dear friend. We shared many good times and I will miss her positive attitude and giving heart.
Terry Marshall
I am so sorry to hear of Kathy's passing. My sympathies to her family.
Cecelia Velie (Seeger)
So sorry to hear of Kathleen's passing! She was one of my very first first-grade friends. I will treasure her memory always. Blessings to Mom and family.
Sheryl Manthei (Rudd)
I was shocked to hear of the passing of my friend Kathy. My condolences go out to her family. Kathy and I were good friends in High School and was with me the night I met my husband. A memory of that night will always be with me. I was lucky enough to get reacquainted with Kathy a our 40th Clas reunion reminiscing of th fun times we had in High School. She will truly be missed.Sue Monty (Thomasgard)
I am so sorry to hear of the death of another classmate. I remember Kathy as always being outgoing and friendly. It sounds like she lived her life that way and made a real difference. My sympathies go out to her family.