Funeral services for Walden W. Rathke age 86 of Beemer, NE will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at Zion-St. John Lutheran Church, rural Wisner, NE. Interment will be in the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, rural Beemer, NE. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Minnick Funeral Home in Wisner and will continue on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.

Walden Rathke passed away on Sunday, November 5, 2017 at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk, NE with his family by his side.

Wally was born September 20, 1931 to Ernest and Ida (Schmitt) Rathke. He was born at the family homestead in Beemer, NE, where he lived up until 2016. He attended St. John’s Lutheran School of rural Beemer and Wisner High School, where he graduated in 1949. Wally was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of rural Beemer where he was baptized and confirmed, and later a member of Zion St. John’s Lutheran Church of rural Wisner.

On March 11, 1955 he married Luella Siebrandt of Pilger, NE at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Pilger. Walden was in the Army National Guard. He farmed the family homestead until he was 83 years old. He enjoyed farming, livestock auctions, his pet dogs, telling stories about the “good ole days”, and spending time with his family.

Survivors include:
Wife-Luella Rathke of Beemer, NE
Children- Keith Rathke of Wisner, NE
Kurt and Jill Rathke of Wisner, NE
Grandchildren- Kasey and Danielle Rathke of Pender, NE
Alexis and Mychael McClure of Wisner, NE
Nephew- Scott and Chris Pospishil and Family of Yankton, SD
Niece- Janet and the late John Brown and Family of Bryant, AR


Walden was preceded in death by his parents, a brother (Delwin Rathke), and two sisters (Melva Rathke and Nadine Pospishil).