Obituary of Jerome Michael Rau

Jerry Rau, The Minnesota Minstrel, passed away October 15, 2021 at Southview Acres Transitional Care Unit in West St. Paul following a lingering Illness. Jerry was born on September 28, 1938 in Minneapolis, MN. He was raised by his mother Ruth in North Minneapolis and was to become the heartbeat of folk music in Minnesota and great portions of the country.

Jerry described himself as a World War II baby, and when he first started reading, he demonstrated knowledge of, and interest in, the fighting. War was to play a large role in shaping Jerry into the gentle, peace loving man everyone knew. He recalled watching John Wayne movies with his mother which may have led to his interest in combat. He was also a follower of the film arts throughout his life.

When Jerry was six, he had dreams of owning a banjo. Those hopes were dashed when a co-worker of his mother gifted him a guitar. His hands were too small, and he could not play it. It would take another war for Jerry to develop a relationship with the guitar.

When he was eighteen, Jerry joined the Army Reserves. His once-a-month meetings and Summer Camp were quite doable. At 20 years of age, Jerry decided to enlist in the Marines without mentioning it to his mother. Shortly after getting off the plane at Camp Pendleton, he realized he had made a mistake.

Jerry was to spend nine years in the Marine Corp. This included one tour in Vietnam in 1965. A Staff Sergeant and squad leader, Jerry saw the very worst that military service had to offer having lost several close friends in Vietnam. He decided to part Company with the Marines. The one saving grace was that he finally learned to play guitar in- country and later took lessons in Hawaii.

After moving back to Minneapolis and following a short stint as a taxi as well as bus driver, Jerry decided he would become a musician. The next 50 years would gain Jerry recognition as The Minnesota Minstrel and arguably the heartbeat and conscience of the Minnesota Folk Music Scene. He became a fixture of the West Bank, including a stint of booking entertainment for the Coffeehouse Extempore. Admitting to a bit of stage fright, he always did prefer singing on the street to performing on stage. Many a visitor to Dinkytown or downtown Minneapolis can attest to his prowess as a street singer. He was a prolific song writer, and his wartime experiences are reflected in his writing.

He became an activist for Peace and was a prominent figure in Anti-Vietnam War demonstrations. He was a founder of Vets For Peace, Chapter 27. He was also a participant in a hunger strike opposing the war in El Salvador held at the St. Paul Cathedral.

The best way to understand Jerry’s stature in the Folk Music Community is to read some comments from his peers and fans when they heard of his passing.

“Jerry was always faithful to his music, his friends” “For me, Jerry was a mensch among mensches”

“He was so good at music in his quiet, non-aggressive way”

“Jerry was a quiet and gentle guy and a spellbinding performer”

“He was a fine , fine person. The world was made better for his presence”

”There was no one like him”

“Jerry was a treasure”

“Such a sweet, kind, loving man”

“Such a wonderful person”

Another tribute heard from performers becoming Folk Musicians long after Jerry was established in his career, highlights his selfless generosity. Upon first meeting Jerry, he would make available to them his entire catalog of presenter and venue contacts throughout the 25 states he traveled, hoping that the information would help them get started in the music business.

Jerry was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Ruth and Lawrence Kveton and infant son John Patrick.

He is survived by daughter Joanne Dymond (Michael), son James Rau (Oi Wong) and son John Rau (Dionne) and grandchildren Jerome, January, Justin, Autumn, Rachel, Evan and Kaliyah as well as two great grandchildren Birdie and Bowman.

There will be a celebration of Jerry’s life from 1:00 to 5:00 pm on Sunday, October 31st at the Hook and Ladder Lounge located at 3010 Minnehaha Ave South.in Minneapolis. Many of Jerry’s musician friends will perform in his memory. There will also be a funeral mass for Jerry at St. Joan of Arc Church, Monday, November 1 at 11:00 am with visitation at 10:00 am. A luncheon will follow. The church is located in the 4500 block of 3RD Ave S. Both of these facilities require proof of vaccination to be shown. Masks and hand sanitation will be provided.

Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be directed to St. Joan of Arc Peace and Justice Fund, Guitars for Vets, or Health Partners Hospice.