Anna Belle Rau

Anna Belle (Hays) Rau, 91, of Butler went home to the Lord on Friday at the VNA Inpatient Hospice in Butler.

She was born July 21, 1924, in Piney Township, Clarion County, to the late Fred J. Hays and Iva (Miller) Hays.

Anna Belle was a homemaker, and before her marriage, she worked at the Clarion Department of Forest and Waters. She was a faithful member of North Main Street Church of God for more than 50 years where she taught Sunday School for 20 years, was active in the missions and outreach through the church. Anna Belle was a member of the Women of the Church of God and the 60-Plus Group.

She was a kind and gentle woman and an amazing gardener, maintaining flower and vegetable gardens into her 90s. Anna Belle was known for sharing her gardens' bounty with and preparing delicious meals for family and friends. She was fascinated by nature and all of God's creatures. She loved bird watching and tending to the bee hive set up in her back yard. Her grandchildren filled her heart with love and joy and she was immensely proud of their accomplishments and character.

She is survived by one daughter, Melinda S. Ripper and her husband, John, of Butler; one son, Brian H. Rau and his wife, Nanette, of Butler; five grandchildren, Brandon J. Rau, Kayla M. Rau, Nicholas J. Ripper, Alyssa Belle Ripper and Andrew M. Ripper, all of Butler; one sister, Arta Williams and her husband, Ken Hain, of Harrisburg, Pa. and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Richard M. Rau, whom she married on July 9, 1960, and who passed away Dec. 9, 2008; and two brothers, William Hays and Robert Hays.

RAU — Friends of Anna Belle (Hays) Rau, who died Friday, July 1, 2016, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Thompson -Miller Funeral Home, 124 E. North St.Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the North Main Street Church Of God, 1201 N. Main St. Extension with Rev. Matt Reitz, pastor of the church, officiating. Burial will take place in the Butler County Memorial Park.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VNA Hospice of Butler, 115 Technology Drive, Butler, PA 16001.Online condolences can be given at www.thompson-miller.com.