Rodger Rau

Minot

Rodger Rau, 85, Minot and longtime Minot Police Officer, died on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in a Minot nursing home.

Rodger William Rau was born on October 11, 1937, in Hebron, ND to William and Alice (Krenzler) Rau. He was raised and educated in Hebron and graduated from Hebron High School in 1955. Also, Rodger had received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Associate of Arts Degree in Law Enforcement. He entered the U.S. Navy on October 25, 1955, and served until his honorable discharge on September 24, 1959. Following his discharge, he returned to Hebron and was employed at the Hebron Brick Company.

Rodger was once married to Ruth Petri and Donna Miller. He moved to Minot in 1963 and was employed by the Minot Police Department until he retired as a lieutenant on November 1, 1997. He married Sylvia Mearing Culver on September 17, 1994, at Peace Lutheran Church in Burlington, ND. They made their home in Minot. Most recently, Rodger had been a resident of Trinity Homes for the past two years.

Rodger attended Our Redeemer’s Church and was a former member of the Eagles Aerie, Moose Lodge, American Legion and ND Peace Officers Association. He had received numerous merit awards from the Minot Police Department. Rodger especially enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and travel.

Rodger is survived by his wife of 28 years: Sylvia; children: Ronnie Rau, Rhona (Dean) Hoyt and Renita (Rob) Woodman; son-in-law: Larry Long; stepchildren: Jonathan Culver, Adrian Culver and Matthew Culver; grandchildren: Marshall, Ryan and Zoe Long, Genna Bichler and Matthew Hoyt; step-grandchildren: Sophie, Phoebe, Ethan, Jack and Florence; half-sister: Beverly Baack; half-brothers: John and Tony Killz and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Rodger was preceded in death by his parents, daughter: Rachelle Long, stepfather: Joe Killz and half-sister: Ann Treiber.

Celebration of the Life of Rodger Rau: Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 1 p.m. in West Minot Church of God, Minot. A livestream of the service will be available by using the link in the website obituary.

Interment will be in Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot at a later date.

Visitation: Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Published by the Minot Daily News, May 8, 2023.