Walter Benjamin Otto Rathke, 91, joyfully went to his Heavenly Home and reunited with his beloved wife of 61 years, Maryalyce, on Monday, May 30th at the Samaritan Health Center in West Bend.
Walter was born March 11, 1925 to Albert and Elsie (nee Uhlig) Rathke on the family farm in the Town of Trenton. He was baptized and confirmed at and graduated 8th grade from Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church and School, Pleasant Valley Road, West Bend. On May 5, 1951, he married Maryalyce (nee Klein), also at Trinity.
After taking over the farm at the age of 14 Walter farmed over 40 years at which time he and Maryalyce were honored to sell it to their son and daughter-in-law. He then enjoyed a second career for another 25 years selling hybrid seed to farmers and also recruiting dealers for seed companies.
Walter loved his Lord and Savior and believed children were truly a gift from God, relished being self-employed, appreciated God’s beautiful nature and enjoyed being a good caretaker of the property God entrusted to him. He enjoyed drawing wildlife and playing baseball in his early years. Throughout his life he also enjoyed music, playing cards with his family and friends, watching baseball games and telling a good joke or story.
Over the years he sang in the local Barbershoppers, was involved in the church choir, evangelism and the Church Council at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Newburg. Walter was one of the original founding committee for Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School in Jackson and he and Maryalyce were avid supporters of KMLHs. They appreciated the blessings of all levels of Christian education for their children and grandchildren.
Walter is survived by his children Laurie Brunz of Sioux falls, SD, Bryan (Billie) of West Bend, Ellyn (John) Grasse of Campbellsport, Brenda (Jeff) Rusch of Merrimac, Claudia (Dean) Biebert of Inver Grove Heights, MN, Jennifer (Darryl) Pufahl of Winchester, Andrea (Stephan) Wolff of West Bend and Jordan (Lisa) of West Bend. He is further survived by 51 grandchildren, very soon-to-be 80 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Maryalyce, his parents, siblings Linda (Fred) Poweleit, Eleanor (Marvin) Stanley, George (Esther) Rathke, Gerda (Marcus) Liesener, Hildegarde (Frank) Heiser, Esther Rathke, in-laws Willard (Burnette) Klein, Kenneth (Ruth) Klein, Melvin (Delores) Klein, grandson Jared Brunz, daughter-in-law Cheryl Rathke and son-in-law Robert Brunz.
Walter’s celebration of eternal life will be held at 11:30 am on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Newburg (623 Congress St.) with Pastor Kevin Schaser presiding. Interment to follow service at St. John’s Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church only on Saturday, June 18 from 8:30 am until time of service (11:30 am). Memorials are appreciated to Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School or St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church of Newburg.
Special thanks to Pastor Schaser and members of St. Johns, Dr. Klausmeier, BrightStar of West Bend, the Lighthouse of West Bend and Samaritan Health Center for enriching his life these past five years.