John "Bud" O. Nau

John O. “Bud” Nau, 89, Rockford, passed away Sunday, November 13, 2016, at the LaSalle Illinois Veteran’s Home following a lengthy illness. He was born April 9, 1927, in Evansville, Indiana, the son of Ophir P. and Dixie I. (Decker) Nau. He was a graduate of North High School in Des Moines, Iowa and attended Iowa State University and then the University of Wyoming. Bud lived in Rockford for 56 years coming from Des Moines to work for Ingersoll Milling Machine Company. He was a veteran of WWII and the Korean War serving in the Air Force. Bud married Patty Canington in Des Moines on May 29, 1954. He was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and the Y Retired Men’s Club. He enjoyed games especially Poker and Bridge. Bud was a quiet man but had a great love for his family and would spend a lot of time working with his wife Patty with school projects. He even built several book cases for the teachers at Machesney Elementary School and the sets for many Harlem High School musicals. He always enjoyed their winter trips to Fort Myers Beach Florida to spend time with their friends.
Survived by his loving wife, Patty; his son, Jeffrey (Debra) Nau of Rockford, his grandchildren, Chad (Laura) Carlson of Wisconsin Rapids, Elizabeth (C.J.) Martinovich of Stillman Valley, and Katherine (Hyato) Thew of Machesney Park; his 5 great-grandchildren; his brothers, John (Sandy) Nau and Thomas (Karen) Nau; his sister, Betty Mason; sister-in-law, Jean Ann Winter; several nieces and nephews and his special friends, John and Kay Boyd. Predeceased by his parents, his daughter Susan Carlson in 2006, and his grandson, Scott Carlson in 2015.
Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M., Friday, November 18, 2016, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 3300 Rural St. Rockford, with Reverend Jeff Fricke officiating. Entombment at Sunset Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until 10:45 A.M. on Friday at the church. In Lieu of Flowers, memorials may be made to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and Alzheimer’s Research Center, RHF—Alzheimer’s Research, Mail Stop 11202C. 640 Jackson Street, St. Paul, MN 55101. Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, Rockford. Share online condolences at www.fitgeraldfh.com.