Lisa Rau, who gave 34 years of her life to Silver Dollar City as its Director of Publicity and Public Relations, died yesterday following heart surgery in Branson, MO. She was 64 years of age.
The millions of visitors to the park during her tenure aren’t likely to have interacted with Lisa, though the many bluegrass artists who performed there certainly did. Over two decades of their Bluegrass & BBQ festival at the park, which runs for a full month each spring, artists and their representatives worked side-by-side with Rau to ensure that potential visitors knew that they would be playing there.
A Michigan native, her professional career began in newscasting, starting out doing weather for KY3 after graduating from Stephens College in Missouri in 1984. Before long, she moved into reporting and ended up anchoring news broadcasts for the station.
In 1989 Lisa made the move to Silver Dollar City, where she spent the next three decades singing the praises of the park and its many attractions and accommodations, as well as the charm and vitality of Branson itself. A tireless promoter and a natural pitch woman, she was remembered by the company in this statement to the media.
“Lisa was a member of our work family for more than three decades before retiring in 2023. Her passion for telling the stories of our special city and the Ozarks was unparalleled. As our PR Director, she built a legacy of theme park public relations through historic ride launches, grand openings, and ‘stunts with integrity.’ She was a tireless champion of our culture along the way. Her impact will live on in the hearts of our citizens.”
After leaving Silver Dollar City, Lisa went to work for the City of Branson as their Communications Director, a position she gave up last year to launch her own PR firm.
Larry Milton, Mayor of Branson, also released a statement on her passing.
“We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Lisa Rau, a beloved former Communications Director for the City of Branson, a dear friend of mine personally, and a cherished figure throughout the Ozarks. Lisa was a gifted storyteller whose work, from her years in broadcasting to her leadership roles at Silver Dollar City and here at the City, helped shape how the world sees our community.
Lisa brought passion, professionalism, and warmth to everything she did. She uplifted the people around her and dedicated her career to highlighting the very best of Branson. Her impact on our city is lasting and her loss is felt by all who knew and worked with her.
On behalf of the City of Branson, we extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues. Lisa’s legacy will remain a meaningful part of our community.”
Many in the professional bluegrass community will be mourning her loss, as a good number of them became friends over repeated contacts.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
R.I.P., Lisa Rau.
