Emma Rau, 103, Minot, formerly of Upham, ND, died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Thursday, January 25, 2018, in a Minot home healthcare facility.

Emma was born February 17, 1914 on the Schnabel family farm located west of Upham, North Dakota in McHenry County to Henry and Lydia (Mettler) Schnabel. She was educated in country schools and assisted her family with the operation of the farm as a child.

Emma was united in marriage to Emil Rau on October 10, 1935 in Upham, ND. They made their home on a farm located southwest of Upham for the next thirty years.

They moved into the city of Upham in 1965. She was a member of Peace Reformed Church and the Upham Betterment Club, where she was an active volunteer of her time and talents for many years. Emil passed away in 1978. Emma moved to Minot in 2003. She became a member of the Harvest Reformed Church in Minot and was active as a volunteer for the Trinity Auxiliary.

Emma was blessed with many talents for her active hands during her nearly 104 years of life. She was an accomplished seamstress, often making clothing for her children and grandchildren. She quilted for many years sharing the gift of warmth with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed ceramics, embroidery, stenciling, looming, painting and making Christmas ornaments every year. She was known to play scrabble and cards when she took a break from baking cakes and canning from the large gardens she planted each year. Emma will be missed by all who called her mom and grandma, but we feel blessed to know she is with her mother, whom she lost, so young and her loving husband, Emil our father and
grandfather.

Emma is survived by her children, Viona Hanson, Minot; Eleanor Burgin, Redmond, WA; Arlene Bengtson, La Quinta, CA and Edgar Rau, La Quinta, CA; grandchildren, Raynor (Deb) Hanson, Charlene (Mike) Parkinson, Laura (Rick) Callaway, Pam Burgin, Candace Bengtson, Darcy Bengtson, Kevin (Kelly) Bengtson and Bradley Rau; great-grandchildren, Brenden (Jaime) Hanson, Dustin (Karmen) Hanson, Kason (Ashley) Hanson, Monika, Pawel and Nataila Parkinson, Jeremy (Emily) Callaway and Tyler (Shana) Callaway, Macy Nelson, Denni Bengtson, Brooklyn Bengtson and Sebastian (Crystal) Harmon; great-great grandchildren, Ethan, Madelyn and Cayden Hanson, Bradley Hanson and Weston Snell, Brailyn and Kaden Callaway, Tessa Callaway and Dax DelaBarre; nephews and nieces, and cousins.

Emma was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Emil, grandchildren, Darla Gay Burgin and Brian Mitchell Rau, sons-in-law, Dennis Bengtson, Rolf Hanson and Shelby Burgin, an infant brother and sister and brother, Robert Schnabel.

Celebration of Emma's Life: Thursday, February 1, 2018, 2:00 PM at Trinity Church in Minot.
Interment: Peace Reformed Cemetery, Upham, ND (Spring 2018)
Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 31 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the charity of your choice.