RAU, Ralph Kenneth
February 20, 1943 – July 29, 2022
Ralph passed away peacefully early on the morning of Friday July 29 at Foothills Hospital to be with his Heavenly Father. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 58 years Shirley (neé Engel), children Delinda (Marlowe) Ulriksen & Tim (Stacy) Rau, grandchildren Nichole (Tad) Davidson, Amanda (Steve) Mason, Michael (Danielle) Ulriksen, Hallee Rau & Ethan Rau, great grandchildren Riggins Ulriksen, Oakley Ulriksen & Samara Davidson and sibling brother Glen (Linda) Rau. Ralph was predeceased by his father Jacob, mother Hilda, older brother Larry (Grace) and sister Sharon.
Born on February 20, 1943, in Trochu, Alberta, Ralph was the second of four children, raised on the family farm outside of Beiseker. After graduating from Hillcrest Christian College, Ralph married Shirley Engel on August 1, 1964, then moved to Wilmore, Kentucky, where Ralph completed a Bachelor of Theology & Master of Divinity at Asbury College/Seminary. Ralph then returned to Canada with his family where he taught at Hillcrest Christian College and pastored several Evangelical churches. Between his teaching and pastoral roles, Ralph also worked a stint at Alberta Gas Chemicals and as a heavy equipment operator until retirement.
Ralph was extremely devoted to his family, enjoying every minute he had with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was also extremely devoted to his faith. His love for God was evident in his love to lead bible studies and engage in conversation around his Christian faith, especially on creation and revelation. One of his other loves was watching and discussing sports as he was a passionate fan of the University of Kentucky Wildcats, Calgary Flames and the Calgary Stampeders. He was also an avid gardener and enjoyed sharing his produce with his family and friends.
Ralph’s family will be celebrating his life at Cochrane Alliance Church (902 Glenbow Drive, Cochrane) on Friday August 5 at 2pm. The celebration will be streamed online at https://tv.cochranealliance.com/en/c/celebration-of-life-for-ralph-rau.4787
Cochrane Country Funeral Home – cochrane@piersons.ca – 403-932-1039
Dear Shirley and family,
We are so sorry to hear about your loss, but are rejoicing that he is with his Lord and Saviour Jesus. Please accept our sincere condolences.
From our first meeting, way back in the ‘80’s to the last time we were together and all the times between, we will cherish the memories of the laughs, food and fellowship that we shared.
Love Steve, Susan & Kaytlyn
May the Lord be your source of comfort and strength during these days of sorrow.Remembering you in Prayer!!
Dear Aunt Shirley, Tim and Delinda and the rest of your families,
It’s with a heavy heart that I write to say how sorry I am about Uncle Ralph passing away.
I surely know your pain, since Mom just passed away too, and Dad in 2019. It is so difficult
to be in a world without them. I take it day by day, and sometimes minute by minute. There is healing in nature, in your faith, and in the love of each other. I pray you will find the strength that you need to go on being a blessing to those around you. Hug each other closely, and know that I love you and am praying for you all.
Cindy
Aunt Shirley, Delinda and Tim,
There are no human words to fill holes left in our lives, minds and hearts when we lose our dearest ones.
I do know there is hope in God, and that I and you will see our loved ones again (who have also believed), but God made us of flesh, and that flesh feels the heavy weight of loss. And because of how He made us, we need time to process and grieve. Including time to walk through the strange quietness, where there was once the sounds of life… and the silence can be loud and heavy to our hearts.
Although I, and my family live many miles away in Texas, we stand and sit and mourn right alongside you in your loss.
Uncle Ralph, was my “quiet Uncle”. I can’t say we had many conversations nor do I recall many memories of just he and I, but I saw so much of my dad in him, and he helped make up the foundation of our Rau family. How often have I seen pictures of my dad and uncle Ralph, and Glen… the 3 Rau boys… who took on the world… each in their own personalities and with their gifts and talents, and they did it God’s way… not their own (and uncle Glen still is living out his walk with God on this side of the Jordan).
I was always grateful to know I had uncles to look out for me, and to provide a heritage our loving their families and loving God to their best ability.
Uncle Ralph and aunt Shirley provided me my first “away from home” experience, that I remember, when I was probably 10 years old. I really wanted to go to Medicine Hat to play with my cousin Tim, and I was actually surprised when my folks allowed me to ride a Grey-Hound bus to Medicine Hat all by myself. And although I was a bit scared… I just knew uncle Ralph and aunt Shirley would take care of me, which they did, allowing me a Tim to do boy stuff and go to the local arcade. I never had any worries and was always welcomed and loved for being apart of the family. And having lived in many places on this globe, even while still young, it was an invaluable thing to have a place and people that I could call mine and whose home I knew I was alway welcome in. For this I say a heart-felt thank you!
Heartfelt Hugs and Prayers
Jeff Rau (and for Carra and Eric)