Branson, Mo. — The Ozarks lost one of its most respected voices and gentle spirits this week. Lisa Rau, the former KY3 news anchor turned longtime public relations director for Silver Dollar City, died Thursday at the age of 64, leaving behind a legacy of journalistic excellence, community advocacy, and deep affection across southwest Missouri.
For more than four decades, Rau dedicated her career to telling stories that mattered — first as a familiar face in television journalism and later as the strategic voice behind one of Branson’s most beloved attractions. She first joined KY3 in Springfield in 1984 as a weather forecaster, but her curiosity and tenacity quickly propelled her into field reporting. Audiences grew to trust her not just for daily updates, but for her investigative work — especially a groundbreaking series that shed light on environmental and regulatory challenges facing chicken farms in the Ozarks. Her integrity and clear delivery earned her a respected role on the anchor desk and the trust of viewers across the region.
In 1989, Rau’s career took a defining turn when Pete Herschend, co-founder of Silver Dollar City, invited her to lead the theme park’s public relations efforts. What began as a new professional chapter soon became a defining one. Over more than three decades at Silver Dollar City, she helped shape the park’s identity on both national and global stages. Her keen sense for storytelling, strategic vision, and genuine warmth made her a linchpin in launching major expansions, navigating high-profile ride openings, and crafting publicity efforts that drew visitors from far beyond the Ozarks. Her colleagues fondly remembered her “stunts with integrity” — creative campaigns that breathed life and character into the park while never losing sight of honesty and heart.
Silver Dollar City’s official statement capturing her influence echoed across the community: “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… She was a tireless champion of our culture along the way. Her impact will live on in the hearts of our Citizens.”
After retiring from Silver Dollar City in 2023, Rau continued her life of service as the communications director for the City of Branson, a role she embraced with the same compassion and energy that defined her earlier work. In that position, she strengthened community ties and helped articulate Branson’s identity to residents and visitors alike before stepping away in 2024.
Behind her professional accolades, those who knew Rau spoke most fondly of her mentorship, warmth, and genuine connection to people. Whether guiding young journalists, advising city officials, or telling the next chapter of a theme park’s story, she was known for lifting up those around her, never shying away from hard work and always leading with heart.
As tributes continue to pour in from colleagues, friends, and community leaders, it’s clear that Rau’s influence will linger far beyond headlines. Her dedication to honest storytelling and her love for the Ozarks helped define both a region’s media landscape and its sense of community. In every interview, press release, and public appearance, she reminded those around her why stories matter — not just as news, but as shared moments that bring people closer.
The family has not yet released details regarding services or memorials. In the coming days, those who were touched by her life are expected to gather and celebrate a woman whose voice and spirit shaped much of what the Ozarks has come to cherish.
