Ruth (Miller) Rau, 81, of Panama, died at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
No public services are planned at this time. Perfetti-Assalley Funeral Home in Panama is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mrs. Rau was born on June 29, 1941, in Hillsboro, the daughter of Hugh Clarence and Carmen Winifred (Bollman) Miller. She married Otto Rau on Feb. 6, 1960, in Sorento, and they enjoyed over 63 years of marriage.
Mrs. Rau graduated from Greenville High School with the Class of 1959. In her younger years, she worked as a phone operator in Sorento and for Webco in Litchfield. She was a homemaker, devoting herself to her family. Later in life, Mrs. Rau worked for Sears Catalog and CNB Bank in Hillsboro. She loved the company of others and was always a joy to be around. There was rarely a time she didn’t have a big smile on her face.
Mrs. Rau is survived by her husband, Otto Rau of Panama; son, Rex (Micki) Rau of Donnellson; daughter-in-law, Cathy Ray of Panama; grandchildren, Joe Zobrist of Panama, Seth Balla of Texas and Sarah (Matt) Lafone of Pocahontas; great grandson, Jesse Zobrist; twin sister, Ruby Wallace of Sorento; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Darrell Rau; sister, Wanda Bilyeu; and brothers, Darrell, Russell, and Donald Miller.
