Anna M. Rau

March 8, 1925 - July 13, 2016

ANNA MARIE RAU, 91 of Grant, passed away Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at Beatrice Community Hospital. Anna was born March 8, 1925 on the Maas family farm north of Grant to Gustuf and Helen (Stryker) Maas. She graduated from Perkins County High School. Anna moved to Denver, CO to pursue training in the field of nursing. It was there that she met the love of her life, Alex "Al" Rau, who had just completed his service in WWII. The couple was married on August 16, 1947 in a Catholic church in Denver, despite the fact that Anna was Methodist and Al was Lutheran. The couple made their home in Perkins County, where they raised their family and farmed the Maas ground north of Grant. Al preceded Anna in death in 2002, and 7 years later, Anna moved to Ogallala to live with her daughter, Marcia. In March of 2016, she moved to Beatrice where she lived with Jolene and was able to have better access to home health care. Anna was a tremendous seamstress, and made virtually every scrap of clothing for her family. As time went on her sewing skills were adapted to the needs of her grandchildren, even going so far as to craft their barbie doll clothes. Anna also enjoyed quilting, and was actively involved in the Quilters Guild in Grant. Anna was a lifelong member of the Grant United Methodist Church and was a recipient of the church's 75 year pin. She maintained an active role in the church, perhaps most visibly through the funeral dinner committee, which she chaired for many, many years. In addition to her husband, Anna was preceded in death by a son in infancy and a sister, Viola, who died before she was born. Survivors include her 4 children, Cheryl (Robert) Cygrymus of Bethel Park, PA, Mark Rau of Spring Branch, TX, Marcia Rau of Ogallala, Jolene (LeRoy) Russell of Beatrice; 4 grandchildren, Angela (Andy) Holt, Matthew (Katie) Owens, Loree (Owen) Swindell, Greg Cygrymus; 6 great grandchildren, Alex Owens, Nora Owens, Ruby Swindell, Lincoln Swindell, Eyler Holt, Anna Marie Holt; and several other relatives and friends. Memorials are suggested to the Beatrice Community Hospital and the Grant United Methodist Women in Anna's memory. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com, where the service will be streamed live for those unable to attend. Services will be on Monday, July 18, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the Grant United Methodist Church with John Long officiating. Burial will be in the Grant Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday, July 17, 2016 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bullock-Long Funeral Home in Grant. Bullock-Long Funeral Home in Grant is in charge of arrangements.