Obituary for Marion Rathke
Funeral services for Marion Rathke age 80 of Wisner, NE will be held on Monday, June 29, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Wisner, NE with Pastor Jared Hartman officiating. Out of loving concern for the family, it is encouraged that those in attendance wear a mask and socially distanced seating will be observed. The service will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/minnickfuneralserviceinc. Interment will be in the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, rural Beemer with a luncheon to follow at the Wisner City Auditorium. Visitation will be on Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the church, following the current DHM guidelines for gatherings at 50% of occupancy. Minnick Funeral Home in Wisner is assisting the family with the arrangements..
Marion passed away on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at CHI Health-Lakeside Hospital in Omaha, NE.
Marion Rathke was born at home August 6, 1939 in rural Beemer, NE to Arnhold and Lydia (Lemm) Toelle. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Johns Lutheran Church, rural Beemer. Marion attended St. Johns Parochial School, graduated from Beemer High School in 1956. She worked in Beemer at Kuncel Drug Store for a short time before working at Bud’s Market.
On January 18, 1959, she was united in marriage to Elvern Rathke at St. Johns Lutheran Church, rural Beemer, NE. Music was always a big part of Marion’s life as she played organ for over 50 years. From 1958 to 1967 she was a self-taught organist at St. Johns and then served as head organist at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wisner from 1967 to 2014.
Marion was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church where she was a member of DOR, LWML, taught Sunday School, midweek classes and midweek music. She was the adult choir director from 1976 to 2019. Marion was also a member of the Tuesday women’s Bible study that has met in homes for over 45 years.
Marion loved being a homemaker and a mom. She was a devoted wife, grandma and great-grandma. She was always ready to play a game of cards or a board game. Marion was an avid baseball fan from little league to the majors, especially the Yankees. In her last years she participated in the TeamMates mentoring program at Wisner-Pilger Public Schools. A special joy of hers was attending her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events and activities.
Survivors include:
Children and their families -
Carrie and Terry Bohnenkamp of Parker, CO and family - Brenan and Trinity Oliver and children Shyden, Asher, and Kaile’a. Brittany and Elliott Hay and children Riley, Maddox, Gracie and Ellie and Ryan Bohnenkamp.
Christie and Dan Taege of Lincoln, NE and family - Emily Taege and two children Oliver Taege and Calvin Kuhl, and Taylor Taege.
Ryan and Karen Rathke of Grand Island, NE and family - Garrett and Anna Rathke, Jenna and Andrew Mitchell and Carson, Jordan and Whitney Rathke, and Hannah Rathke.
Greg and LeAnn Rathke of Fremont, NE and family - Arrin and Cara Rathke, Arianna and Tanner Shuck, and Aubrey Rathke.
Beckie Rathke of Lee Summit, MO and fiancé Joe Hatcher.
Brother - Gene Toelle of Beemer, NE
Sister - Cheryl Johnson and husband Edward of Beemer, NE
Sister - Gay Ockander and husband Ron of Gretna, NE
Sister-in-law - Doreen Leffler of West Point, NE
Sister-in-law - Marilyn Rathke of Columbus, NE
Friends close to Marion’s heart - Carol and Chris Moravec and family of Lincoln, NE and Jeff and Tami Rabe and family of Wisner, NE
Marion was preceded in death by her loving husband Elvern Rathke, parents Arnhold and Lydia Toelle, and sister Genny Holtz.
Marion passed away on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at CHI Health-Lakeside Hospital in Omaha, NE.
Marion Rathke was born at home August 6, 1939 in rural Beemer, NE to Arnhold and Lydia (Lemm) Toelle. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Johns Lutheran Church, rural Beemer. Marion attended St. Johns Parochial School, graduated from Beemer High School in 1956. She worked in Beemer at Kuncel Drug Store for a short time before working at Bud’s Market.
On January 18, 1959, she was united in marriage to Elvern Rathke at St. Johns Lutheran Church, rural Beemer, NE. Music was always a big part of Marion’s life as she played organ for over 50 years. From 1958 to 1967 she was a self-taught organist at St. Johns and then served as head organist at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wisner from 1967 to 2014.
Marion was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church where she was a member of DOR, LWML, taught Sunday School, midweek classes and midweek music. She was the adult choir director from 1976 to 2019. Marion was also a member of the Tuesday women’s Bible study that has met in homes for over 45 years.
Marion loved being a homemaker and a mom. She was a devoted wife, grandma and great-grandma. She was always ready to play a game of cards or a board game. Marion was an avid baseball fan from little league to the majors, especially the Yankees. In her last years she participated in the TeamMates mentoring program at Wisner-Pilger Public Schools. A special joy of hers was attending her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events and activities.
Survivors include:
Children and their families -
Carrie and Terry Bohnenkamp of Parker, CO and family - Brenan and Trinity Oliver and children Shyden, Asher, and Kaile’a. Brittany and Elliott Hay and children Riley, Maddox, Gracie and Ellie and Ryan Bohnenkamp.
Christie and Dan Taege of Lincoln, NE and family - Emily Taege and two children Oliver Taege and Calvin Kuhl, and Taylor Taege.
Ryan and Karen Rathke of Grand Island, NE and family - Garrett and Anna Rathke, Jenna and Andrew Mitchell and Carson, Jordan and Whitney Rathke, and Hannah Rathke.
Greg and LeAnn Rathke of Fremont, NE and family - Arrin and Cara Rathke, Arianna and Tanner Shuck, and Aubrey Rathke.
Beckie Rathke of Lee Summit, MO and fiancé Joe Hatcher.
Brother - Gene Toelle of Beemer, NE
Sister - Cheryl Johnson and husband Edward of Beemer, NE
Sister - Gay Ockander and husband Ron of Gretna, NE
Sister-in-law - Doreen Leffler of West Point, NE
Sister-in-law - Marilyn Rathke of Columbus, NE
Friends close to Marion’s heart - Carol and Chris Moravec and family of Lincoln, NE and Jeff and Tami Rabe and family of Wisner, NE
Marion was preceded in death by her loving husband Elvern Rathke, parents Arnhold and Lydia Toelle, and sister Genny Holtz.