Gene Rau , 62, Minot died Sunday, February 14, 2016, in Steam Boat Springs, CO.

Gene was born January 8, 1954, in Harvey, ND to Edwin and Rose (Engel) Rau. He grew up on a farm near Lincoln Valley until he moved to Minot with his family where he graduated from Minot High School in 1972.

Gene was united in marriage to Ruby Heim on June 30, 1979, at West Minot Church of God. They made their home in Minot.

Gene began his professional life as a general contractor working in farm and commercial venues for 20 plus years. Investments in commercial and residential real estate led him to manage and maintain properties full-time.

Gene was a member or past member of the Magic City Driftbusters and Gasmann Coulee Cruisers Snowmobilers Clubs, the Frozen Fingers Music Association of Minot and the Moose Lodge.

Gene was an adventurist and the outdoors was his playground. In the earlier years Gene and Ruby enjoyed fishing, camping and water skiing. Later Gene and Ruby purchased a remote cabin and enjoyed four wheeling, snowmobiling and entertaining friends. Gene, often accompanied by Ruby, enjoyed snowmobiling trips to the Yellowstone, Big Horns, Cook City, and the Colorado mountains. In recent years, people in the Minot and Lake Metigoshe areas could look up and see Gene flying on his power parachute. Gene enjoyed music and played the 'spoons' to any music he was listening to. Gene loved telling and listening to jokes. If Gene had an interest in something, he did it full-throttle and to the best of his ability.

Gene will be missed for all the qualities that made him a loving and devoted husband, caring brother and uncle, and a trusted friend.

Gene's family includes his loving wife of 36 years, Ruby, Minot; brothers, Lloyd Rau, Max, ND, Norman Rau, Minot, and Myron (Garnet) Rau, Kalamazoo, Michigan along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents.

Celebration of Gene's Life: Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at 12:30 p.m. at West Minot Church of God in Minot.
Interment: Turtle Lake Community Cemetery, Turtle Lake, ND.
Visitation: Tuesday, February 23, 2016 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Thomas Family Funeral Home in Minot.