Timothy L. Rau

Timothy Louis Rau age 74 passed away at his home on August 25, 2024 with his wife, daughter and son by his side who lovingly cared for him during his 8 month long sickness with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Always a strong fighter, Tim burst into this world on June 28, 1950, to his parents Raymond and Rosalia (Sally) Rau and was the second child of nine. Tim was the BOSS of this crew and enjoyed teasing his siblings who knew better than to challenge him. He was just too strong.

Throughout his school years, he used his strength a "few" times to get out of skirmishes and graduated from Beal City HS in 1968. After his HS graduation, he left Beal City and traveled to Chicago to attend Greer Technical Institute from 1968-69 and graduated with an Automotive Certificate.

In the summer of 1969, Tim met Teri Dunec from Standish and they were together for 55 years from the beginning of dating in 1969, to their wedding on October 16, 1971, until his death.

Tim and Teri had two children, Jody and Kelly as well as baby Jeremy who died at birth. Together, they grew up with the same strengths and strong work ethics their parents possessed and went on to have successful careers and blessed them with beautiful families full of many happy memories.

In the work world, Tim used his strength to build an excellent reputation as a mechanic. After working at Lansing Gear Pressed and Steel and Mt. Pleasant Crawler Services, he spent the next 40 years in the oil fields, first at HE Tope and then at Muskegon Development, which he retired from in 2015. After his retirement, Tim spent time restoring his Dad's Allis Chalmers tractor, helping Teri host many weddings and other events in their B.O.B (Big Old Barn), attended grandkids baseball, football and volleyball games, regularly met with a group of Happy Hour friends at Corky's in Beal City and enjoying time with family and making new friends at their lakehouse at Eight Point Lake. In December, 2023, Tim was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. After 8 long months fighting leukemia, and without complaints from the strong person Tim was, he and his family considered these 8 months to be a blessing spending as much time together as they could.

Surviving Tim is his wife, Teri, children Jody (Chris) Barnes and Kelly (Nikki) Rau, grandchildren Sam and Alivia Fairley, Breanna and Wyatt Barnes, and Lilly, Nolan and Charlie Rau. Tim also leaves his siblings Jean (Randy) Jones, Joyce Riley, Ron (Betsy) Rau, Ken (Joann) Rau, Ned (Connie) Rau, Mark (Jean) Rau, Doug (Ann) Rau, Dave (Brenda) Rau and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Brother-in-law Clifford Dunec.

He was preceded in death by an infant sister, Theresa Rau; parents Ray and Rosalia Rau, infant son Jeremy Rau; brother-in-law, Bob Riley; niece, Trisha Riley; nephew, Brian Rau. Father-in-law Peter Dunec; Mother-in-law Ruth Dunec; Brother-in-law Tim Dunec and Sister-in-law Becki Dunec.

Visitation will be on Thursday, 8/29/2024 Charles R. Lux Funeral Home, 2300 S. Lincoln Rd., Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Celebration of Life will be on Friday, 8/30/2024 in the Big Old Barn (B.O.B.) at the Rau Family Farm, 5933 N. Vandecar Road, Farwell, MI 48622 Visitation at 10:00 a.m. and Funeral at 11:00 a.m. The celebration will be very casual and in Tim's fashion, if you would like to wear blue jeans and a plaid shirt (like the grandkids said "a Grandpa Shirt"), you are welcome to do so.

Memorial contributions may be made to Community Cancer Services of Isabella County, Hospice of Central Michigan Fund and St. Jude. Because Tim was blessed by others and their blood donations that supported his fight against Leukemia, please consider donating blood as another way to honor your respect and memory of Tim. To sign the online guest book or leave a condolence for the family please visit www.CharlesRLux.com.