Edna Theresa Rau

Edna Rau, 99, of Beal City, passed away Wednesday, May 26, 2021, at her home. She was born on November 14, 1921, in Beal City, and was the youngest of 11 children born to Mathias and Mary (Bauer) Fox. On June 14, 1947, she married Harold J. Rau at St. Philomena Church in Beal City. Edna worked at Ferro Manufacturing during World War II and was dubbed the name "Rosie the Riveter." She also worked at an egg grading station in Rosebush where she would candle the eggs to determine if the eggs had been fertilized. She loved to play poker and bridge, and at one time she was an avid bowler. Edna was a faithful member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Beal City, enjoyed flower gardening, and more than anything, loved her family. She is survived by her son Stuart Rau (Martha Dawson) of Beal City; three granddaughters, Marie (Mike) Lombardo of Howell, Joanne Rau (Rick Clouse) of Grass Lake, and Michelle Kremkow of Cockeysville, MD; four great grandchildren, Jack Lombardo, Joe Lombardo, Emma Clouse, and Cole Clouse; in-laws, Norm and Pat Rau of Beal City, Irene and Fred Zeien of Beal City, Ilene Rau of Mt. Pleasant, Edna M. "Dolly" Rau of Beal City, Gert Brownlee of Sanford,  and Dale Noble of Shepherd; special friends, Hans and Anneli Staab and their daughters Christine and Sibylle of Starnburgh, Germany; and many nieces and nephews. Edna was preceded in death by her parents, Mathias and Mary Fox; husband, Harold Rau; siblings and their spouses, Alma (Charles) Gross, Rosa (Ragolt) Hauck, Sylvester (Rose) Fox, Fred (Rose) Fox, Anna (Ernest) Gross, Edwin (Theresa) Fox, Herman, (Loraine) Fox, infant brother, Tony Fox, Ella (Cecil) Clare, Irene (Raymond) Tilmann; and in-laws, Walt Rau, Steve Rau, Ray and Rosalia "Sally" Rau, Dick & Rose Marie Funnell, Ted Brownlee, Don and Gaye Rau, and Margaret Noble. A Funeral Mass for Edna will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, May 28, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Beal City with Father Thomas Held as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery and a luncheon will follow at the Beal City Knights of Columbus Hall. The family will receive friends in the gathering room of the church on Thursday from 4-7:30 p.m. with a Rosary beginning at 7:30 p.m. Visitation continues Friday one hour prior to Mass. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph the Worker Church. The family extends a special thank you to McLaren Hospice for the care that was given to Edna. To sign the online guest book or leave a condolence for the family please visit www.CharlesRLux.com.