Obituary for Rosalia Antonette "Sally, Sal, Rose, Rosie or Running Rose" Rau
Rosalia Antonette (Schumacher) Rau aka Sally, Sal, Rose, Rosie or Running Rose, passed away peacefully January 29 at Prestige Assisted Living in Mt. Pleasant.
She was 92 and said it was time.
God listened.
Her family knew better than to disagree.
The daughter of Sylvester and Catherine (Witgen) Schumacher, Sally was born on September 11, 1926, and grew up in Beal City on their Vandecar Road farm. After marrying the love of her life, Raymond Rau, on May 17, 1947, she moved a quarter mile down the road to a home that was added onto as the family grew. She and Ray enjoyed gardening and canning, playing Euchre, taking rides in their ‘55 Chevy and flying to Las Vegas for a little casino time.
A family pick up game of softball in the field across the road was a common sight as was the pitcher, Sally. And with nine children, there was no problem covering the bases. There was a problem, however, fitting the whole family in the car so until the older children could drive, kids took turns going on trips.
Once her children were old enough, she went to work at the Embers in Mt. Pleasant and was mentioned fondly by Clarence Tuma in his book, The One Pound Pork Chop. “Sally was an absolute gem,” he wrote. “Quiet, yet extremely efficient, conscientious and creative.” Her cooking skills were greatly appreciated by her grandchildren, who enjoyed a “grandma meal” when they visited, and her children remember her vegetable beef soup and her lasagna.
She was a member of St Joseph the Worker parish and once she moved to Mt Pleasant, she was a member of Sacred Heart. After she could no longer attend Sunday mass, she watched it on TV, followed by either the Tigers or the Lions, depending on the season, or Jeopardy if there wasn’t a game on. As her vision failed, a poster with game times and opponents helped her keep up with her teams.
Rosalia was a familiar face at the Commission on Aging’s luncheons and played cards weekly, if not more often. She loved socializing and winning, and often Euchre tournaments, Tonk or 3-2-1 games preceded family holiday dinners. Watching her scoop up her winnings was a highlight of the event. After her husband died in 1993, she enjoyed a special friendship with Don Gould until he passed away in 2012.
She is survived by her nine children, Jean (Randy) Jones of Clio, Tim (Teri) Rau of Beal City, Joyce Riley of Mt. Pleasant, Ron (Betsy) Rau of Lake, Ken (Joann) Rau of Mt. Pleasant, Ned (Connie) Rau of Marysville, Mark (Jean) Rau of Beal City, Doug (Ann) Rau of Midland and Dave (Brenda) Rau of Beal City. With many children, comes the gift of many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Grandma Rau is survived by Jean’s children, Kris, Greg, Jeff and Theresa; Tim’s children, Jody and Kelly; Joyce’s children, Erin and Bridget; Ron’s children, Jessica and Tyler; Ken’s children, Jessica and Rachael; Ned’s children, Ben and Jared; Mark’s children, Tony and Andrea; Doug’s children, Stephanie and Brent; and Dave’s children, Grace and Anna. Great grandma Rau is survived by 30 great-grandchildren.
Along with six brothers and three sisters, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ray, a daughter–Theresa, four grandchildren–Katie, Jeremy, Brian and Trisha and great grandsons–Ryan and Joseph.
The family would like to thank the caregivers at Prestige Assisted Living and Great Lakes Hospice. Memorial contributions may be made to Great Lakes Caring Home Health and Hospice or the Isabella County Commission on Aging. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home or the church.
A Memorial Mass will take place on Monday, February 4, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with Father Don Henkes officiating. A luncheon will take place immediately following in the Parish Hall. The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 3, from 1-4 p.m. at Clark Funeral Chapel, and one hour prior to services on Monday at the church. Interment of ashes will be held at a later date in St. Joseph The Worker Catholic Cemetery in Beal City.
She was 92 and said it was time.
God listened.
Her family knew better than to disagree.
The daughter of Sylvester and Catherine (Witgen) Schumacher, Sally was born on September 11, 1926, and grew up in Beal City on their Vandecar Road farm. After marrying the love of her life, Raymond Rau, on May 17, 1947, she moved a quarter mile down the road to a home that was added onto as the family grew. She and Ray enjoyed gardening and canning, playing Euchre, taking rides in their ‘55 Chevy and flying to Las Vegas for a little casino time.
A family pick up game of softball in the field across the road was a common sight as was the pitcher, Sally. And with nine children, there was no problem covering the bases. There was a problem, however, fitting the whole family in the car so until the older children could drive, kids took turns going on trips.
Once her children were old enough, she went to work at the Embers in Mt. Pleasant and was mentioned fondly by Clarence Tuma in his book, The One Pound Pork Chop. “Sally was an absolute gem,” he wrote. “Quiet, yet extremely efficient, conscientious and creative.” Her cooking skills were greatly appreciated by her grandchildren, who enjoyed a “grandma meal” when they visited, and her children remember her vegetable beef soup and her lasagna.
She was a member of St Joseph the Worker parish and once she moved to Mt Pleasant, she was a member of Sacred Heart. After she could no longer attend Sunday mass, she watched it on TV, followed by either the Tigers or the Lions, depending on the season, or Jeopardy if there wasn’t a game on. As her vision failed, a poster with game times and opponents helped her keep up with her teams.
Rosalia was a familiar face at the Commission on Aging’s luncheons and played cards weekly, if not more often. She loved socializing and winning, and often Euchre tournaments, Tonk or 3-2-1 games preceded family holiday dinners. Watching her scoop up her winnings was a highlight of the event. After her husband died in 1993, she enjoyed a special friendship with Don Gould until he passed away in 2012.
She is survived by her nine children, Jean (Randy) Jones of Clio, Tim (Teri) Rau of Beal City, Joyce Riley of Mt. Pleasant, Ron (Betsy) Rau of Lake, Ken (Joann) Rau of Mt. Pleasant, Ned (Connie) Rau of Marysville, Mark (Jean) Rau of Beal City, Doug (Ann) Rau of Midland and Dave (Brenda) Rau of Beal City. With many children, comes the gift of many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Grandma Rau is survived by Jean’s children, Kris, Greg, Jeff and Theresa; Tim’s children, Jody and Kelly; Joyce’s children, Erin and Bridget; Ron’s children, Jessica and Tyler; Ken’s children, Jessica and Rachael; Ned’s children, Ben and Jared; Mark’s children, Tony and Andrea; Doug’s children, Stephanie and Brent; and Dave’s children, Grace and Anna. Great grandma Rau is survived by 30 great-grandchildren.
Along with six brothers and three sisters, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ray, a daughter–Theresa, four grandchildren–Katie, Jeremy, Brian and Trisha and great grandsons–Ryan and Joseph.
The family would like to thank the caregivers at Prestige Assisted Living and Great Lakes Hospice. Memorial contributions may be made to Great Lakes Caring Home Health and Hospice or the Isabella County Commission on Aging. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home or the church.
A Memorial Mass will take place on Monday, February 4, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with Father Don Henkes officiating. A luncheon will take place immediately following in the Parish Hall. The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 3, from 1-4 p.m. at Clark Funeral Chapel, and one hour prior to services on Monday at the church. Interment of ashes will be held at a later date in St. Joseph The Worker Catholic Cemetery in Beal City.