Stanley Clifford Rau, 97, Eureka, SD, died Sunday, August 18, 2024 at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen, SD. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Friday, August 23, 2024 at Saving Grace Community Church in Eureka led by Pastor Shawn Abbas. Interment follows at the Eureka Cemetery with military graveside rites.

 

Visitation commences 5:00 PM Thursday at Lien-Straub-Carlsen Chapel, Eureka, with a 6:30 PM prayer service.

 

Stanley was born November 17, 1926, to Martha (Hirsch) and Gust Rau on the family homeplace nine miles north of Java, SD in Campbell County. He was raised there, attended Blessing Rural School until 8th grade, and then farmed with his father and brothers.

 

Stanley was drafted into the United States Army on November 18, 1950, and served his country in combat as a corporal in the Korean War. He sent much of his Army pay back to his father for safekeeping. Following his honorable discharge on August 27, 1952, he returned to the family farm and purchased his first tractor with the money he had saved.

 

Stanley married Viola Aman in Hosmer on June 13, 1954. Shortly after marriage, they purchased and moved to their farm 16 miles southwest of Eureka, where they raised four children and farmed cattle and small grains. Although they relocated to Eureka in 1987, Stanley took his time retiring, continuing to drive to the farm daily well into his 80s, where he especially enjoyed running the combine. Stanley loved the land and farming.

 

Stanley was a faithful member of Saving Grace Community (United Methodist) Church in Eureka. He also was a member of the Eureka American Legion Fred Well Post 186 for over 60 years. Stanley stayed in touch with his buddies from Alabama who were in combat with him during the Korean War, and they visited each other many times over the years and went on trips together. Throughout his life Stanley collected caps, and in retirement he enjoyed traveling around the US with Viola, going out for coffee and cards with friends, and driving in the country to view the fields. He especially loved when family came to visit and playing games with his children and grandchildren.

 

He was preceded in death by his father, Gust, on December 16, 1981; his mother, Martha, on December 15, 1994; six brothers; and five sisters.

 

Grateful for having shared Stanley’s life are Viola, his wife of 70 years; one son, Craig (Connie) Rau of Java; three daughters–Sheila (Dan) Rahja of Frederick, SD, Dixie (Dan) Kennedy of Wheatland, WY, and Joleen Rau of Madison, WI; one sister, Janice Theis of Sioux Falls, SD; seven grandchildren—Adam Rahja of Sioux Falls; Beth (Rahja) Geary of Frederick; Kaitlyn (Rau) Martinez of Baltic, SD; Megan Rau of Ashley, ND; Amy Kennedy (Vaudreuil) of Seattle, WA; Sarah Kennedy (Lauer) of Northfield, MN; and Kallie Block of Madison, WI; and nine great-grandchildren.

 

Casketbearers will be Adam Rahja, Blake Geary, Nick Vaudreuil, Aaron Lauer, Brandon Rau, and Darwin Aman. Honorary bearers are Beth (Rahja) Geary, Kaitlyn (Rau) Martinez, Megan Rau, Amy Kennedy (Vaudreuil), Sarah Kennedy (Lauer), and Kallie Block (Rau).

 

Stanley’s funeral will be livestreamed at the Lien Family Funeral Care Facebook page.

Services are in care of Lien-Straub-Carlsen Chapel, Eureka.

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