Mr. Mark S. Rau, age 51, of Cedar Springs, passed away very unexpectedly on Saturday, August 7, 2010. He grew up on the family farm in Cedar Springs where he helped his family and also his neighbors. Mark was a graduate of Kent City High School; he played and lettered in football. Through friends, Mark and Christy met and had their first date at a Mexican restaurant. After a loving courtship they were married on July 14, 1979, a very hot day, at Mary, Queen of the Apostles Church by Fr. John Porter. After his graduation Mark began an apprenticeship as a plumber, and then began working for Van’s Plumbing & Heating, and later Gebhardt’s Plumbing & Heating. After completing his Master Plumbers license, he started his own business, Mark S. Rau Plumbing & Heating and did independent contracting for Bradford-White Corp.  He and Christy were the best of companions, especially golfing and antiquing. Mark also participated in a golf league. He was the perfect father who taught his children to be loving and good to others. Mark was a nature lover, and his children remember his talks about nature and what was made. He provided them with a strong faith in God. They recall the many good times they had water skiing, snowmobiling, or just working together. Mark was a simple man who was very passionate about the less fortunate. He also had Bella, his talking parrot, who only connected with him. Mark is survived by his loving wife, Christy; children, Ann Rau and her fiancé, Kendall Busbee of Coopersville, and Steven Mark and Jamie Rau of Cedar Springs; grandchildren, Alyssa Michelle Rau, Hayden Lee Busbee, and Xander Steven Rau; mother, Mrs. Steven (Delores) Rau of Cedar Springs; sister, Kathy and Randy Kahrs of Casnovia; brother, Tom and Roxanne Rau of Cedar Springs; nieces and nephews; and Christy’s loving family. He was preceded in death by his father, Steven Wesley Rau, his nephew, Kristopher Kahrs, and his mother-in-law, Marcia Fries. The service for Mark was Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. at Mary, Queen of the Apostles Church, Sand Lake, with Rev. Joseph W. Kenshol officiating. Interment in Solon Township Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the needs of the family. Relatives and friends met with the family from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday at Mary, Queen of the Apostles Church and prior to the service.
Arrangements by The Pederson
Funeral Home, Rockford
www.pedersonfuneralhome.com