Mark Rau

Mark W. Rau, age 67, of Alexandria, died unexpectedly, on Sunday, August 16, 2020, at Alomere Health.

A public visitation is 5-7 p.m., Sunday at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria social distancing and mask mandates will be honored.

A private family funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, August 24, 2020, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria with Rev. Ben Jacobson officiating.  The service will be live streamed from Mark’s obituary page on the funeral home website and broadcast from the funeral home parking lot on 105.3 FM.  Interment will take place at West Lake Amelia Cemetery, Villard.

Mark Wayne was born on June 26, 1953, to Gerald and Lorraine (Tofte) Rau in Appleton, Minnesota. He was baptized with his twin sister, Mary at Trinity Lutheran Church in Odessa and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Villard.  He grew up in Correll and moved with his family to Glenwood in 1967.  He graduated from Glenwood High School in 1971.  Following his education, he worked at the fish hatchery in Glenwood and Carlos State Park before starting his career with the Alexandria School District.  He began as a substitute custodian and eventually worked as the district delivery man until his retirement in 2015. Mark was united in marriage to Debra Watnaas on May 10, 1980, at Fron Lutheran Church in Starbuck. Mark had a very friendly, outgoing personality with a contagious laugh.  He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Alexandria. In his earlier years, he loved to deer hunt with his family. Mark loved to cheer on his family as an avid sports fan, especially watching his cousin, Scott Tofte race.  He also enjoyed attending races at the Viking Speedway in Alexandria and I-94 in Fergus Falls.  Mark loved all Minnesota team sports, especially watching his kids, nephews and nieces playing in high school sports.  He enjoyed reading newspapers, crossword puzzles, going for drives with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Lorraine Rau; parents-in-law, Gene and Kathy Watnaas; brother-in-law, Ray Sotebeer; and several aunts and uncles.

Mark is survived by his wife of  40 years, Deb; son, Matt Rau of Alexandria; daughter, Brittany Rau of Alexandria; four sisters, Marilyn Sotebeer of Buffalo, Geraldine Whittemore of Glenwood, Phyllis (Steve) Sauer of Fargo, North Dakota and Mary (Walter) Greene of Glenwood; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and special friend, Ella.

Pallbearers are John Whittemore, Michael Whittemore, Justin Bogie, Steve Mueller, Tim Evenson, Michael Halvorson, Riley Lindberg, Carter Watnaas, Scott Tofte, and Matt Meyer.  Honorary pallbearers are his nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.