IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Helen Kathleen
Rathje
May 4, 1918 – November 9, 2008
Obituary
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Helen K. Rathje, age 90 of Annandale died Sunday, November 9, 2008 at the Annandale Care Center with her family at her side.
Funeral Services will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, November 13, 2008 at the Annandale Evangelical Free Church, Annandale. Rev. Philip Geoffrion will officiate and burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Annandale. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Annandale and one hour prior to the service, Thursday at the church. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Helen Kathleen Rathje, the oldest of three children, was born May 4, 1918 in Sauk Rapids on the family farm to Paul and Grace (Capes) Grovender. She attended several area schools finishing high school at Annandale, MN. Helen married Alfred Rathje on December 31, 1936 at the Annandale Methodist Church Parsonage. He preceded her in death on September 20, 1992. They had four children, Beverly, Douglas, Beryl and David. She worked out of the home at Jude's General Mercantile Store in Annandale and the Canning Factory in Cokato for several years.
She came to know the Lord as her personal Savior under the ministry of Rev. Wallace Larson. She always said that living as a four generation family for seventeen years and the wonderful Christian Heritage she received will never be forgotten. Helen was a member of the Albion Evangelical Free Church and a previous member of the Annandale Free Church. She was active in the church, serving the Lord as secretary of the church, Deaconess, Chairman and Secretary of the Women's Organization.
She worked 26 years at the Buffalo Hospital starting in housekeeping; helping to deliver babies and then taking the position as OR Scrub Nurse. She retired from the hospital in July 1985. Alfred and Helen enjoyed horses and took many trips to Waverly, Iowa and they traveled and camped up north in their trailer. Helen enjoyed writing short articles of which some have been printed in the Annandale Advocate, but the most favorite was a tribute to her husband, "A 4th of July Victory" that was published in the June 1983 issue of the Courage Center Stroke Connection. She loved taking pictures of family and community events, and putting together photo albums and scrapbooks. She loved music and especially enjoyed attending Community Band Concerts. High school basketball games were a favorite. As she progressed in age and since moving to Centennial Villa Assisted Living and most recently to the Annandale Care Center she loved to socialize with people. At the Annandale Care Center she held the office of Vice President on the Resident Council and was a member of the Welcome Committee. Helen loved and showed her love to her family in many ways. She will be missed very much by her family and friends.
Helen is survived by her children, Beverly Lund, Beryl (Gary) Geisinger and David (Peggy) Rathje all of Annandale; daughter-in-law, Jeanette Rathje of Annandale; brother, Maris (Linnea) Grovender of Minneapolis; 7 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren; 12 step-great grandchildren; 1 great great grandson; 18 step-great great grandchildren; and several cousins, nieces and nephews and many friends. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Douglas Rathje; son-in-law, Clifford Lund; and sister, Arlaine Cordell.
Pallbearers will be Steve and Mike Rathje, Rhonda Schermer, Jeff Geisinger, Jennifer McCollow, Rashel Harris and Tracy Kurr. Linda Groos, Norma Geoffrion, and Larry and Nancy Wasmund will provide the music for the service. Arrangements are entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care, Annandale.
Helen K. Rathje, age 90 of Annandale died Sunday, November 9, 2008 at the Annandale Care Center with her family at her side.
Funeral Services will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, November 13, 2008 at the Annandale Evangelical Free Church, Annandale. Rev. Philip Geoffrion will officiate and burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Annandale. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Annandale and one hour prior to the service, Thursday at the church. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Helen Kathleen Rathje, the oldest of three children, was born May 4, 1918 in Sauk Rapids on the family farm to Paul and Grace (Capes) Grovender. She attended several area schools finishing high school at Annandale, MN. Helen married Alfred Rathje on December 31, 1936 at the Annandale Methodist Church Parsonage. He preceded her in death on September 20, 1992. They had four children, Beverly, Douglas, Beryl and David. She worked out of the home at Jude's General Mercantile Store in Annandale and the Canning Factory in Cokato for several years.
She came to know the Lord as her personal Savior under the ministry of Rev. Wallace Larson. She always said that living as a four generation family for seventeen years and the wonderful Christian Heritage she received will never be forgotten. Helen was a member of the Albion Evangelical Free Church and a previous member of the Annandale Free Church. She was active in the church, serving the Lord as secretary of the church, Deaconess, Chairman and Secretary of the Women's Organization.
She worked 26 years at the Buffalo Hospital starting in housekeeping; helping to deliver babies and then taking the position as OR Scrub Nurse. She retired from the hospital in July 1985. Alfred and Helen enjoyed horses and took many trips to Waverly, Iowa and they traveled and camped up north in their trailer. Helen enjoyed writing short articles of which some have been printed in the Annandale Advocate, but the most favorite was a tribute to her husband, "A 4th of July Victory" that was published in the June 1983 issue of the Courage Center Stroke Connection. She loved taking pictures of family and community events, and putting together photo albums and scrapbooks. She loved music and especially enjoyed attending Community Band Concerts. High school basketball games were a favorite. As she progressed in age and since moving to Centennial Villa Assisted Living and most recently to the Annandale Care Center she loved to socialize with people. At the Annandale Care Center she held the office of Vice President on the Resident Council and was a member of the Welcome Committee. Helen loved and showed her love to her family in many ways. She will be missed very much by her family and friends.
Helen is survived by her children, Beverly Lund, Beryl (Gary) Geisinger and David (Peggy) Rathje all of Annandale; daughter-in-law, Jeanette Rathje of Annandale; brother, Maris (Linnea) Grovender of Minneapolis; 7 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren; 12 step-great grandchildren; 1 great great grandson; 18 step-great great grandchildren; and several cousins, nieces and nephews and many friends. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Douglas Rathje; son-in-law, Clifford Lund; and sister, Arlaine Cordell.
Pallbearers will be Steve and Mike Rathje, Rhonda Schermer, Jeff Geisinger, Jennifer McCollow, Rashel Harris and Tracy Kurr. Linda Groos, Norma Geoffrion, and Larry and Nancy Wasmund will provide the music for the service. Arrangements are entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care, Annandale.
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