Emma Rathje

August 11, 1908 - January 2, 2009

Emma M. Rathje, 100, of Rising City, died Friday, January 2, 2009 at Butler County Health Care Center in David City. Funeral Services will be Tuesday, January 6, 2009, at 10:30am in Faith Ev. Lutheran Church, Rising City with Pastor David Schultz officiating. Burial will be in Faith West Cemetery. Viewing with family present will be on Monday from 5-7pm followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 7pm all at Chermok Funeral Home. Additional viewing will be on Tuesday, one hr before services at the church Memorials may be given in care of the family. Emma Rathje was born on Aug. 11, 1908 on the family farm near Gresham, Nebraska to Charles and Anna(Rehbock) Matzner. She met and married Henry Rathje on December 30, 1928 at St. Paul Lutheran Church of rural Gresham. To this union were born four children. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church and the Ladies Aid. She celebrated her 100th birthday in August with a party that was overflowing with family and friends from all over the country. She enjoyed doing handiwork such as sewing, embroidery and craft work. She also liked to bake and garden. She especially treasured time with her family. She is survived by her son: Larry(Barbara)Rathje of Las Vegas, NV; Sons-in-law; Joseph Sloup of Rising City and Bob(Peg)Luebbe of Lincoln. Daughter-in-law: Evelyn(John)Thompson of Omaha. Sisters: Ruth Neujahr of Seward and Ann Tonniges of Gresham and Sister-in-law; Irene Matzner of Stromsburg. 11 Grandchildren; 24 Great-grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Emma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 1967, children: Roma Luebbe, Donald Rathje ad Nadine Sloup. One brother; Carl Matzner and two sisters: Esther Suhr and Clara Erks.