John Frederick Rau passed away peacefully at the Agape Manor on October 8, 2001 at the age of 91 years. John is survived by his son Leroy, daughter-in-law Muriel and grandsons, Neil and Owen. John was predeceased by his wife Elfriede and his son Alvin. John was born in Bezine, Kansas on September 28, 1910. John, his parents and nine siblings came to Canada in 1913, after getting established they bought land from the C.P.R. and farmed Southeast of Beiseker. In 1926 the Rau family bought land Northwest of Trochu where John helped with the farm during the summer and worked in the coal mines for extra money in the winter. It was here where he met Elfriede Schlender, whose parents ran one of the mines, they were married on October 14, 1934. In 1935 when John's parents moved to the town of Beiseker, John and Elfriede stayed on the farm, running a threshing crew in the fall to help the neighbours and enjoyed the country life. During this time they had two sons, Alvin and Leroy. In 1944 they decided to move and buy land Southeast of Crossfield where they continued to farm and do custom combining. John later went to S.A.I.T. and became a heavy duty mechanic. Farming was in John's life style and he continued farming well into his eighties. In 1994 John and Elfriede celebrated their Sixtieth Anniversary with family and friends. John moved to Bethany Care Centre-Airdrie in 1995 after having heart trouble and later a severe case of pneumonia. Elfriede passed away on August, 1997. Graveside Service to follow at the Crossfield Cemetery. <from the Calgary Herald>