Kenneth “Ken” John Rau Sr. passed away in Warrenton on July 13, 2022, at the age of 91. He is survived by his three children, Kenneth Rau Jr. of Columbus, OH, Cindy (Rick Catron) Snyder of Warrenton and Thomas (Anne) Rau of Roundhead, OH; brother, Otto A. (Ruth) Rau, Jr. of Panama, IL; sister‑in‑law, Clara Rau of Elyria, OH; seven grandchildren, Melinda (Pat) Middleton of Warrenton, Joseph (Erin) Snyder of Warrenton, Christine (Jason) Prochaska of Hutchinson, MN, Susan (Nicholas) Flieg of Ste. Genevieve, MO, Kyle (Jessica) Rau of St. Paul, MN, Chelsea (Logan) Brown of Bellefontaine, OH, and Cody (Chantell) Rau of Hutchinson, MN; 16 great‑grandchildren and another soon to arrive; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family. He is preceded in death by his father, Otto Arno Rau; mother, Caroline Josephine (Gilb) Rau; wife, Barbara I. (Green) Rau; son, Daniel Rau; and brothers, Warren Rau and Marvin Rau.
Ken was a retired Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy, having served 20 years. Following his retirement from the Navy, he was employed for 20 years with Ford Motor Company in the Lima, OH, engine plant. He was an avid woodworker, enjoyed playing golf and sport of all kinds, but was partial to the St. Louis Cardinals. He liked keeping himself busy, and in recent years, he would meet daily with his friends for breakfast at The Nest Cafe restaurant in Warrenton. Most of all, he took great pride in his grandchildren and great‑grandchildren and cherished time spent with them. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great‑grandfather, and uncle who will be dearly missed.
A graveside service will be held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis on Friday, August 5th at 10:30 a.m. Memorials may be made in memory of Ken to the Alzheimer's Association or American Heart Association.
