Diane Kay Rau

Devoted Mother and grandmother, Diane Kay Rau, passed peacefully on June 7, 2026 in her home in Happy Valley, OR where she had lived over 40 years. Born on May 14, 1943 in North Dakota, Diane at 83 years old, had been battling cancer for several years and had been under hospice care for the last year.

Diane married Walter Dale Rau on August 4, 1966 and enjoyed 40 years of marriage prior to his passing. Over the years Diane enjoyed many trips with friends and family to Central Oregon, the Oregon Coast and a scenic tour to Banff, Canada. Besides the respite trips Diane also enjoyed playing cards and dinning out with friends.

Diane was a sweet, kind and gentle soul. She loved being generous and she loved making her home cozy and festive for family holidays. She also enjoyed her flowers, working on her puzzles and settling in for her favorite movies.

Diane graduated from Cleveland High School in 1961. She was a loyal employee of Consolidated Freightways where she worked for many years and retired in 2001.

Diane was preceded in death by her husband Walter Dale Rau, her parents: Keith Forst McDaniel & Alma Genevieve McDaniel, brothers: Carlton Duane McDaniel & Darrel Keith McDaniel, sisters: Evelyn Mae Ralston & Betty Jane Wampler.

Diane is survived by her son Steven Boyd (Wendi) Rau, her daughter Sheryl Ann (Scott) Walker, nine grandchildren: Anthony, Michael, Marissa, Emily, Courtney, Vanessa, Cody, Ashleigh, Unique and ten great-grandchildren, her sisters Bonnie Jean Oelschlager & Debra Jo Everidge and many nieces and nephews.

Diane is currently in the care of Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home.

There will be a service held at Willamette National Cemetery, 11801 SE Mt. Scott Blvd, Portland, OR, on Monday June 29th at 12:45, with food and fellowship following at Bonnie Oelschlager’s home -- please reach out to Diane's family for Bonnie's address.

"For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16