W. Myron Rathjen, 25 Apr 1919 - 20 Sept 2017

RATHJEN, SIMMONS, OLSON, GAUGER, REICHERT, HAWKINS, KOEPPEN, VERNON, SCHROEDER, YUNGLAS

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 3/12/2018 at 14:06:32

Funeral service for W. Myron ‘Mike’ Rathjen, 98, Marengo, was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Sept. 25, at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo. He died Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017, at Compass Memorial Hospital, Marengo.

Burial was in the Marengo Cemetery.

Memorials may be contributed to Trinity United Church of Christ or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be left at www.klosterfuneralhome.com

W. Myron Rathjen was born April 25, 1919, near Genoa Bluff on the family farm, the son of Clarence and Irene Simmons Rathjen. He began his education at Sumner Township #7 Rural School and graduated from Marengo High School in 1937. He was employed by Simmons Motor Company following graduation.

On Aug. 23, 1941, he married Kathleen “Kaye” Olson in Kirksville, Mo. The couple farmed in Sumner Township until their retirement. They moved to Marengo in 1978 and spent over 40 years wintering in Naples, Fla. He took pride in having a Century Farm and a Grade A Dairy for many years. He enjoyed farming with draft work horses and participating in the Ladora Saddle Club activities. This eventually led to a family affair of showing horses throughout the Midwest. Myron enjoyed watching his daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren show horses.

He was a long time member of Trinity United Church of Christ, Iowa Horseshow Association and the Elk’s Lodge. He greatly enjoyed social gatherings, dances and playing cards.

Rathjen is survived by two daughters, Judith Gauger and Sue Reichert, both Marengo; a granddaughter, Stacy (Josh) Hawkins; great-granddaughter, Brenna Kaye Hawkins; a special friend and companion for 17 years, Irene Koeppen; four step-grandchildren, Jeff (Sue) Gauger, Vicki (Tony) Vernon, Terry (Steve) Schroeder and J.R. Reichert (Lara Yunglas); five step-great-grandchildren and five stepgreat-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Kathleen; his parents and two sons-in-law, Milt Gauger and Ron Reichert.

The Journal Tribune, 27 Sept 2017, pg 5
The Gazette, Sat., September 23, 2017, 10a