Robert J. Rauen, 79

Published 11:15 am Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Robert J. Rauen, 79, of Northwood, Iowa, died Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015, at the Good Samaritan Center in St. Ansgar, Iowa.

Rauen

Robert Joseph Rauen was born on June 8, 1936, to William and Marie (Retterath) Rauen in Adams, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He attended Sacred Heart Catholic School through eighth grade and graduated from Adams High School. He entered into the United States Army in December of 1954 and was honorably discharged in 1958, serving three of those in Germany.

He started his construction career in high school while helping to build his family’s home. After his discharge from the Army, he returned home and began working at Thill Implement, Rose Creek, Minnesota, and the Oliver Plant in Charles City, Iowa. Bob then began his career in heavy construction in 1969, building numerous waste water treatment plants and ethanol plants in the upper Midwest and culminating in his position as an Owner’s Representative in the construction of the Absolute Energy Ethanol Plant, Lyle, Minnesota, being right next door to the family farm. He retired for the final time at the completion of the plant in 2007. They resided at the farm from 1969 to 2012 when they moved to Northwood, Iowa.

Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing, baseball, football, golfing and traveling throughout the world. He loved playing cards, rarely missing a chance to play, whether it was with his wife, family or friends. He was a lifetime member of the Lyle American Legion Post 105 where he was past commander.

Bob and Carol (Young) were married at The Little Brown Church, Nashua, Iowa on Dec. 11, 1965.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son Jay; granddaughter Jennifer; sister and brother in-law Louise and Gary Speltz; and niece Sandy Thomas.

Bob is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Carol; his children: Gary (Tammy), Austin, Minnesota, Deb of Mason City, Iowa, Shelly (Sam), Northwood, Iowa, Todd (Gail), Byron, Minnesota; daughter in-law Nancy, Austin, Minnesota; 14 grandchildren: Dezi, Rosalie, Katie, Angie, Sam, Tom, Brad, Nicole, Robyn, Cody, Travis, Ramona, Brandi, Holly; and six great-grandchildren; brothers: Ed (Mary Lou) Rauen, DuWayne (Bea) Rauen; and sister: Gin (Vince) Stienessen; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, 2015, at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Lyle with Father Swaminatha Pothireddy officiating. Interment will be at Woodbury Cemetery. Lyle Post No. 105 American Legion is in charge of military rites. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. Visitation will also be at the church on Friday morning for one hour before the service.