Florence Rathke

 

Florence “Flo” Rathke of Jackson, formerly of Grafton and Manitowish Waters, was born to life on Nov. 28, 1923, was born to eternal life on Jan. 25, 2021, at the age of 97.  

She was the daughter of George and Anna (nee Behrens) Kohlwey.

Flo graduated from Cedarburg High School and in 1947 from Evangelical Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing with a registered nursing degree.  

She started her career as a surgical RN and retired after working many years in public health.

Flo was united in marriage to Gerald “Jerry” Rathke on Dec. 6, 1947.

She is survived by her children Sue (Bob) Bliese and Jon (Christine Ottersberg) Rathke; grandchildren Jon (Kate Denissova) Bliese, Chet Bliese, Carol (Ned Hull) Bliese and Anna (Noah) Miller; son-in-law Marc (Donna) Nienhuis; sister Renata Rappold; brother-in-law Oscar Rathke; and many other relatives and friends.

Flo was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jerry on Jan. 3, 2009, and daughter Jayne Nienhuis on June 30, 2016.

Flo lived life to the fullest. She had a sense of humor that charmed those who knew her. She grew up on a farm and then continued to farm with Jerry until they retired to Manitowish Waters.  

With their many friends they went boating, snowmobiling, put on theme parties, laughed often and spent hours relaxing in the north woods, aka “God’s country.”

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a private family service will be held on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grafton.  

To attend the funeral service virtually or to send online condolences to the Rathke family, please visit www.muellerfuneralhome.com.  

Immediately following the funeral service, Flo will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband Jerry at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Grafton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Grafton, Wis., at splgrafton.org or to the American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org are appreciated.

A special thank you to the staff at Jackson Crossings and The Kathy Hospice for their loving care of Florence.  

 

Category:

Feedback:

Click Here to Send a Letter to the Editor

Ozaukee Press

Wisconsin’s largest paid circulation community weekly newspaper. Serving Port Washington, Saukville, Grafton, Fredonia, Belgium, as well as Ozaukee County government. Locally owned and printed in Port Washington, Wisconsin.

125 E. Main St.
Port Washington, WI 53074
(262) 284-3494
 

CONNECT


User login