Gerald "Jerry" Roy Rau, 77, of Elgin, passed away unexpectantly at his home in Elgin on Sunday, May 8, 2022. He was born September 11, 1944, in Pine Island to Herbert and Amelia (Esser) Rau. He attended rural schools at Pine Island and graduated from Pine Island High School in 1962. Jerry then served his country in the US Navy from June 7, 1962, to July 15, 1965. He married the love of his life Diane Ressie on May 6, 1967, in Stockton.

After marriage the Rau's lived in Faribault, and then moved to Rochester. In 1977 they moved to Woodland Estates, Elgin. Jerry was employed by PAG Seeds, Lynks Seeds, and at KBS in Plainview for many years. Jerry enjoyed going fishing and boating, was an avid baseball fan especially a Minnesota Gopher fan. He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and the Elgin American Legion.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Diane Rau of Elgin; a son, Todd (Colene) Rau and a daughter, Traci Rau both of Plainview; three grandchildren, Makenzie, Hayley, and Hunter (Lillian); and siblings, Tom Rau of Rochester, Jean Oelkers of White Bear Lake, John (Ardeth) Meyer of Oronoco, Edward Meyer of Rancho Cordova, CA, Evelyn Stiller of Rochester, and Marianne Christiansen of St. Cloud. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Bradley, a brother Arle, and a sister Joane.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 12, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Elgin/Plainview, with Pastor Krista Henning-Ferkin officiating. Friends and family may visit from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Thursday.  Burial will be at a later date at the Elgin Cemetery.