Gordon Rau, 74 passed away peacefully on Wednesday August 23, 2023 at his home with family by his side.

He was the first of two troublemakers born to Wilmer and Nina (Rud) Rau. Gordy hit the ground running on August 13, 1949, and didn’t slow down until at least 1977. He was born into the farm life, so he worked hard and played hard. Childhood was spent adventuring with his little brother Jerry.

His talents were many: gardener, landscaper, truck driver, equipment operator, sweetheart, fixer of everything, collector of junk, but his favorite job was cowboy. He never met a horse he didn’t like. Although he did have a few choice words for Roanie after the “Dam Dump Incident of 1980.” He had to walk a couple miles in wet boots and jeans, and it was well known that walking was not his favorite. He loved his years spent ranching. Calving, branding, weaning, and especially the B.S. sessions that followed were some of the best times.

He professed to be a shy guy but would meet new friends everywhere he went. He could start a conversation with anyone and loved to tell stories. Stories of good times at Guard Camp were his favorite. Gordy considered it a good day when on his nightly drive up the road to check on the crops, he would find some unsuspecting neighbor out in the shop or yard and pulled in for a “quick visit.”

Gordy was considered by many to be a confirmed bachelor. But he was a charmer, and so he hood-winked some poor young lady into eloping with him in September 1977. (Hence the slow-down.) She was Kelly LaCounte, and they were an unlikely couple. But as it turned out they were perfect for each other, and he continued to hoodwink her for 45 years. They were a great team, working well together to tackle projects in home and in the shop. And beautiful babies were made.

He was most proud of his family and the 45 years spent married to Kelly. His children learned love from him and picked up many of his talents. He will continue to live on through them. He retired in 2014, which gave him the time to be at home waiting for granddaughter Clementyne to get off the bus from school. He got a kick out of calling it “Grandpa’s Daycare,” and developed a very special bond with his Clemmer. He was also Grandpa Gordy to Rory, Lily, and Gus.

He was known for his signature “Fu Manchu” mustache, the ever-present plaid shirt and suspenders, and in retirement, the pin-striped bib overalls (Key brand only, please) and also causing a little trouble on Facebook.

Gordy was a good man, kind, honest, and soft spoken. Always nice, usually nosey, and sometimes inappropriate. If you talked to Gordy, you always knew what he was most proud of, his kids; Ely (Bud), Katey (Boopie), and Tessa (Baby girl). He loved and he was loved, and we will miss him every day.

We have so much gratitude to those who have helped these past few years and months as his health declined, most importantly; Monte LaCounte, Pat and Jerry Rau, Dennis and Tamar Lorenz, Christa Veltman and the radiology staff, Megan Batchelor, the staff at Sidney Health Center, and anyone who took the time to visit with Gordy and share stories.

Surviving Gordy are his wife Kelly (LaCounte) Rau; son Ely (Anne) Rau; daughters Katey (Zach) Bayless and Tessa (Ryan) Kopp; grandchildren Clementyne, Rory, Lillian, and Augustus; brother Jerry (Pat) Rau; nephew Jason (Taunya) Rau; mother in-law Kathleen LaCounte; brothers and sisters in-law Monte and Becky LaCounte, Pete and Nancy LaCounte, Dari and Deene Ehlis, Kathy and Steve Radke, and Alysia LaCounte; along with numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Gordy is preceded in death by his parents Wilmer and Nina (Rud) Rau; nephew Jeremy Rau; and father in-law Darryl LaCounte.