Betty Louise Rau, age 80, passed away on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at MyMichigan Medical Center West Branch. She was born on December 14, 1941, in West Branch, MI to John and Ethel (Brick) Schmitt. She lived in West Branch her entire life.
She graduated from West Branch High School in 1961 and was recruited to play basketball professionally.
On May 26, 1962, she married Charles Rau and started a family. She worked with Charlie running the family business, Charles Overhead Door, and on the Rau family farm. Betty also worked in the kitchen at Surline School for many years. She enjoyed softball and basketball in her youth, bingo, cards, and her family.
Betty is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Charlie Rau of West Branch; children Denise (Steve) Simmons, Dennis (Linda) Rau, and Debra (George) Searfoss all of West Branch; grandchildren Greg (Lyndsay) Simmons, Scott Simmons, Jason (Courtney) Simmons, Lynn (Sean) Bonner, William (Jaime) Rau, Nathan (Annalise) Rau, Trista (Pat) Gibson, Samantha (Dustin) Thompson, Kenny LaBean, Justin (Katie) Diehl, Marissa (Jesse) Jordon, and Charlize Searfoss; 17 great grandchildren; brother Ronald (Joyce) Schmitt of West Branch; brother in law Barney (Sandy) DeRosa; sisters in law Gloria Schmitt and Jeanette Schmitt; and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, grandson Kevin Simmons, siblings Jackie Schmitt, Dean Schmitt, Aleen DeRosa, Alice (Bob) Bragg, Mary (Albert) Miles, Jerry Schmitt, and Robert Schmitt, brother in law Ron Greene, and father in law and mother in law William and Esther Rau.
Visitation at Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will begin on Friday, December 9, 2022, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a rosary at 3:00 p.m. The funeral mass will be on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in West Branch at 11:00 a.m. with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. Father Emmanuel Finbarr will officiate.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Joseph Catholic School.
Arrangements were handled by Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch. www.steuernolmclaren.com
