Obituary for Nicolyn "Nicki" Rau (Wolf)
Nicolyn (Nicki) Amelia Wolf Roth Rau was born to Frank and Amelia (Lippert) Wolf on February 10, 1939 in Lebanon, Illinois (in the second story front room of what is now the Meredith Funeral Home where Dr. Winkler had his offices).
She was raised in Lebanon, graduating from Lebanon Community High School in 1957. She was popular in high school, being a cheerleader, the accompanist for the chorus, and sextet (which won first place in state competition singing “Hallelujah”) and was elected President of her senior class.
She attended Lindenwood College for Women for two years (1957-59), and then married Richard A. Roth of O’Fallon. They had two daughters: Melinda A. (Mindy) (1960 and Susan E. Roth (1964). After ten years, they were divorced.
In 1971 Nicki married George P. Rau. Mr. Rau had two daughters from a former marriage: Rene and Lisa. The Raus moved to Frankfort, Illinois and lived there until 1995 when they (both having retired) moved back to Lebanon to “help out Mrs. Rau’s mother”. Mrs. Wolf wouldn’t have any of it! She would live to be 100 years old and was of sound mind and body until the end.
After moving back to her home town, Nicki became involved with the Lebanon Historical Society, the Lebanon Women’s Club, the Lebanon History Club and PEO.
Nicki worked at South Cook County Heart Association for two years, then took a job as departmental secretary of the Emergency Room at the Chicago Osteopathic Hospital for eight years. In that time she took responsibilities for the CPR programs, the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Pysicians, the Certifying Board of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians, the Residential Program for Osteopathic Emergency Physicians, the Intern Program for Emergency Room Physicians – all while being the Emergency Room Secretary at two hospitals: Homewood and Chicago).
After she stopped working, she went back to college and got her Bachelor of Arts from Governor’s State University in 1994.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, John Wolf; a sister, Anne D. Kreigh; a grandson, Patrick Roberts (son of Jeff and Lisa Roberts); and various aunts, uncles and cousins.
Surviving are her husband of 49 years; two daughters: Melinda Haanpaa (Craig) of Marengo, Illinois and Susan Roth of Woodstock, Illinois; nine grandchildren: Alicia Farag (Adam), Jacob Dewey (Vivian), Sarah Varney (Andrew), Nickolyn Jackson, Davis Jackson, Colin Glennon (Beth), Erin Bice (John), MAryBeth Roberts and Julie Roberts; and nine great-grandchildren.
She loved music, flowers, reading and all animals. She belonged to and was active at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Lebanon. Her faith was strong, as was her love of family and country.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
She was raised in Lebanon, graduating from Lebanon Community High School in 1957. She was popular in high school, being a cheerleader, the accompanist for the chorus, and sextet (which won first place in state competition singing “Hallelujah”) and was elected President of her senior class.
She attended Lindenwood College for Women for two years (1957-59), and then married Richard A. Roth of O’Fallon. They had two daughters: Melinda A. (Mindy) (1960 and Susan E. Roth (1964). After ten years, they were divorced.
In 1971 Nicki married George P. Rau. Mr. Rau had two daughters from a former marriage: Rene and Lisa. The Raus moved to Frankfort, Illinois and lived there until 1995 when they (both having retired) moved back to Lebanon to “help out Mrs. Rau’s mother”. Mrs. Wolf wouldn’t have any of it! She would live to be 100 years old and was of sound mind and body until the end.
After moving back to her home town, Nicki became involved with the Lebanon Historical Society, the Lebanon Women’s Club, the Lebanon History Club and PEO.
Nicki worked at South Cook County Heart Association for two years, then took a job as departmental secretary of the Emergency Room at the Chicago Osteopathic Hospital for eight years. In that time she took responsibilities for the CPR programs, the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Pysicians, the Certifying Board of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians, the Residential Program for Osteopathic Emergency Physicians, the Intern Program for Emergency Room Physicians – all while being the Emergency Room Secretary at two hospitals: Homewood and Chicago).
After she stopped working, she went back to college and got her Bachelor of Arts from Governor’s State University in 1994.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, John Wolf; a sister, Anne D. Kreigh; a grandson, Patrick Roberts (son of Jeff and Lisa Roberts); and various aunts, uncles and cousins.
Surviving are her husband of 49 years; two daughters: Melinda Haanpaa (Craig) of Marengo, Illinois and Susan Roth of Woodstock, Illinois; nine grandchildren: Alicia Farag (Adam), Jacob Dewey (Vivian), Sarah Varney (Andrew), Nickolyn Jackson, Davis Jackson, Colin Glennon (Beth), Erin Bice (John), MAryBeth Roberts and Julie Roberts; and nine great-grandchildren.
She loved music, flowers, reading and all animals. She belonged to and was active at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Lebanon. Her faith was strong, as was her love of family and country.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.