John Rau died June 12, 2009. He was born Nov. 1, 1925 in Steinfeld, Ukraine to Wilhelm and Katharina Rau. In December 1930, John’s family, along with a group of Mennonite families, escaped from the Soviet Union by fleeing by night over the frozen Amur River into China. In 1932, with the help of MCC, they left Harbin, China, for Chaco, Paraguay. In 1937, the Raus and others ventured to the eastern part of Paraguay where the climate was not as hot and dry, and founded Friesland colony. After his father died, John, the youngest of 6 children, was left alone with his mother to run the farm. After his mother died in 1967, John came to Canada. He became a Christian, was baptized, and joined Scott St. MB Church, St. Catharines, Ont. John married Anne Warkentin on July 10, 1971. Predeceased by his siblings; John is mourned by Anne; nieces and nephews; 4 in-laws.
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