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Alta Rathke Obituary
of Owego, N.Y.
Mom was born in Dixon, Illinois on March 18, 1918, to Lydia and Henry Lohmeyer. At the age of 2, her family moved and settled in the Waits area of Owego. On May 3, 1941, she married the love of her life, Herman Rathke, Sr. Together they raised four children: Herman Jr. (Laurie), Robert (Pat), Donna (Denny) Edwards, and Darlene (Grady) Updyke. She was the proud grandma of eight grandchildren: Herman III (Bill) Rathke, Paul Rathke, Theresa Rathke, Diane Valentine, David Rathke, Derek Edwards, Zack Updyke, and Amanda Updyke; and numerous great-grandchildren. Mom worked the summers of 1937-1941 at Camp Wardner on Rainbow Lake in the Adirondacks. Mom worked hard on the family farm and worked as a painter and wallpaperer for several years. In 1980, Mom and Dad moved to Salisbury, North Carolina, where they lived for the next six years. Since they could not convince their family to move south, they moved back to the Owego area in 1988. Mom was a member of the Whittemore Hill United Methodist Church, the Foster Valley Homemakers, the Campville Grange #1492, Halsey Valley and Pomona Grange, and the Campville and Tioga Center Senior Citizens. Over the course of her life, Mom suffered the loss of her parents; four brothers: Larry (Doris), Ervin, Ray (Peg), and Ed; two sisters: Louise (Herbert) Cox and Myrtle (Llewellyn) Thomas; and many other beloved family members. In 1996, she suffered the loss of her son-in-law, Denny Edwards. In 1998, she suffered the tragic loss of her son, Bill. In June 2007, Mom lost her Herman. Mom ended her earthly journey and the Lord called her home on July 7, 2008 at the age of 90.
A Funeral Service will be held at Richards Funeral Home, Rte. 17c West, Owego, N.Y., on Thursday, July 10, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Vickie Maxon, her Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Broadway Cemetery, Owego. Family and friends are invited to call at Richards Funeral Home on Wednesday evening, July 9, 2008, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and again on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Those wishing are asked to consider a memorial contribution in memory of Alta to the Alzheimer's Association, Lourdes Hospice, or the Whittemore Hill United Methodist Church Memorial Fund. Please share your memories at www.RichardsFH.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Alta Rathke
Phyllis (Toft) Novak
July 11, 2008
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I have nothing by good memories of both Alta and Herm ..they were such wonderful people. God Bless you all.
Dana Nowalk(Stinard)
July 10, 2008
May God Bless Yo and your family. Sorry for your Loss. Remembering the many years living on Foster valley road growing up the major location was the Rathke farm. all of us going to Whitemore Hill church.
Burt &Helen Schoonover
July 10, 2008
Sorry to hear about your loss.Alta was a special person. We shall all miss her.Take comfort-those who love will be reunited in eternity.
Elmer and Peggy Talcott
July 9, 2008
So sorry to hear of your loss. Herman and Alta were very good customers to Peggy's Power House and we have fond memories of both of them. May the Lord comfort you at this time.
Joe Rose
July 9, 2008
Dear Darlene and family, I am so very sorry about the loss of your mother. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.
Sincerely,
Jim Irwin
July 8, 2008
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Lynda Helmer
July 8, 2008
To Bob and Pat,
Please know that Bucky and I extend our heartfelt sympathy to you at this time. May the wonderful memories you have help ease the pain of your loss. We think of you both often and send our love always.
Lynda and Bucky Helmer
Carol and Bob Ziemba
July 8, 2008
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
Bruce and Pam Peer
July 8, 2008
Our sympathy goes out to Alta Rathke's family and friends.
To our wonderful son-in-law Derek Edwards we send a special message of love and support during this sad time. We know how much he loved his grandmother.
May God bless you all.
Linda (Overton) Cicora
July 8, 2008
Aunt Alta will always be remembered for her kind and loving heart. She gave me many wonderful memories. She was like a second mother to me. My summers on the farm were always the best! Oatmeal for breakfast, swimming in the creek, walking in the grain bin and playing in the hay! May God bless you Aunt Alta!
Len & Gloria Lohmeyer
July 8, 2008
Our sympathy goes out to all the family in your time of loss. We have many pleasant memories of Aunt Alta and Uncle Herm when they would join us on the front porch of Mom's house to watch the 4th of July parade. Both Aunt Alta and Uncle Herm came from hearty stock and set an excellent example of how life should be lived, and they lived it to the max every day. The life experiences your parents have left with you will provide a lifetime of pleasant memories.
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