Gertrude Alice Rau was born August 16, 1924 in Zeeland, North Dakota, to Gerhard and Christine (Pfeifer) Bauer. She graduated with top academic honors from both Northwest Academy, Mobridge, SD and Bismarck Evangelical Hospital's School of Nursing where she received her registered nursing degree.  While working at the Bismarck Hospital, Gertrude met Alton Rau who from the moment he saw her made it is his mission to marry her.  Alton and Gertrude were married on September 4, 1949 in Zeeland, North Dakota and made their home in Linton, North Dakota for 67 years.

During Gertrude's professional career she worked as a registered nurse at the Bismarck, Grafton & Linton, ND hospitals and also worked part time at the Strasburg Care Center, Strasburg, ND.   During their retirement years Gertrude and Alton spent their winters living in Arizona where they enjoyed traveling and spending their time being with family and friends.

Gertrude was an active member of Peace Lutheran Church where she served in various church organizations and charities and served for 50 years as the church's organist.  Gertrude loved to get together and to chat on the phone with her girlfriends and enjoyed being a member of their birthday club.  She enjoyed gardening, sewing, ceramics, all kinds of crafts, trying new recipes, games and providing a beautiful and loving home for her family.  She delighted in the time she was able to spend with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

With the love and support from her family and blessings of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Gertrude passed away peacefully at the Strasburg Care Center, Strasburg, ND on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 into the loving arms of her beloved Alton who was waiting for her to join him in their home for all eternity.

Gertrude is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Cynthia and Gary Timm, Phoenix, AZ and her son Tom Rau and his best friend Dana Vogt, Rapid City, SD. She has four beautiful granddaughters (Elizabeth Breed, Christine Southerland, Anna Rau and Sasha Rau), four special great-grandchildren (Morgan and Maxwell Southerland and Lou and Vivian Breed), her sister Darlyne Williams and brothers Gordan (Nancy) and Donald (Sandy) Bauer. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alton, her parents and her brother, Harold Bauer.

Gertrude's family extends a special thank you to the staff of the Strasburg Care Center and Linton Hospital for their care of her. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in her name to the Peace Lutheran Church, Linton, ND.

Services will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at Peace Lutheran Church, Linton, ND, with Pastor Sean Barnhart officiating. Burial will be in the Linton cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, November 28th at Myers Funeral Home where there will be a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue for one hour before services begin on Wednesday.