Bernadine Ilene (Fischer) Rau

The funeral service for Bernadine Rau will be at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at St. James Lutheran Church in Leola with Pastor Judy Schultz officiating.

Burial will follow the service at Greenmound Cemetery.   

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at St James Lutheran Church with a prayer service following at 7:00 PM. 

Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. 

Bernadine Rau was born on January 10, 1932, to William C. and Lydia (Hoffman) Fischer in Long Lake, SD. She grew up on the family farm northwest of Long Lake. Bernadine graduated from the eighth grade.

Bernadine married Eugene Rau on April 15, 1951. From this Union five children were born: Joyce, Karen, Lee, Robin, and Mark. The Raus lived on a farm northwest of Long Lake until 1955 when they moved to Hosmer. In 1958, they moved to Leola. In 1969, she and Eugene bought the Mobil Station. Bernadine was a stay-at-home mom until 1974 when she became the “head gas pumper” at the station and did the bookkeeping. She was at the station everyday-rain, snow, or shine-where she filled fuel for anyone who stopped. She held this title until 2021, when at the age of 89, she was forced to retire due to health issues. Bernadine moved to Aberdeen where she lived at Derian Place for a brief time before moving to Prairie Heights where she spent the remainder of her life. She enjoyed ceramics, fishing, and visiting with anyone who stopped at the station.

Bernadine passed away on Friday, March 22, 2024, at Prairie Heights Healthcare in Aberdeen, SD.

Bernadine is survived by Joyce (Phil) Kajtaniak of Bradenton, FL; Karen (Frank) Heinz of Mina; Lee (Pam) of Tucson, AZ; son-in-law Jack Buckley of Aberdeen; and Mark (Jackie) of Leola. She has 9 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and a special station cat, Snoopy. She was preceeded in death by her parents, her husband Eugene, and daughter Robin.

The family requests that memorials be donated to the St. James Church or a charity of your choice.

Thank you to all the staff at Prairie Heights and Avera Hospice for the great care they gave Bernadine.

Schriver Funeral Home is honored to serve the Rau family.

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