Douglas Allen Rathje

Douglas A. Rathje age 64 of Balaton, MN died Saturday, April 9, 2011 at the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Balaton. Services will be 10:30 AM Friday, April 15, 2011 at the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Balaton. Visitation will be from 5:30 until 7:30 PM Thursday, April 14, 2011 at the Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton and continue one hour prior to the service at the church. The family also requests that friends join them at Kirpatrick’s in Balaton, from 7:30 until 9:00 PM Thursday following the visitation, for a time of remembrance of Doug. The interment will be in the St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery. A luncheon will be served following the interment at the Balaton Community Center. The Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton is handling the arrangements. Douglas Allen Rathje was born May 13, 1946 to Edwin and Edna (Schultz) Rathje in Tyler, MN, Lincoln County. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and attended Balaton Public Schools, graduating from Balaton High school in 1964. That same year he entered the U.S. Air National Guard and served in Sioux Falls, SD with the South Dakota Air National Guard, until 1988 when he retired with the rank of Tech- Sergeant. On June 23, 1979 Doug married Donna Mae Pemble in Walnut Grove, MN and they made their home on the Rathje's family farm near Balaton. Doug spent his entire life living on the family farm. He helped his father and brothers farm as he grew up, and in 1977 partnered with his brother Curt and nephew Tim to form Rathje Farms. Farming wasn't always an easy life, but one that Doug truly loved. In 1985, Doug began driving truck for Floyd Wild Trucking of Marshall, MN. During his 25 years there he worked as a driver, mechanic and local delivery man. In 2010, Doug was blessed to find work that included driving, mechanic work and farming for long-time friend Craig Gifford of Balaton. He was forced to retire several months later due to his health, but appreciated having a job that he was happy to go to each day. He was a life long member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Balaton, where he served on the church board and also on the St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery Board. Doug enjoyed watching Vikings football, keeping up the family farm, and caring for his dogs over the years. Doug had the most wonderful sense of humor and loved playful mischief, whether it was with his friends or when spending quality time with his family. Doug entered hospice care at the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Balaton on Thursday April 7th, where he died on Saturday, April 9, 2011, surrounded by his loving family and dog, Sage, at the age of 64. Doug is survived by his one son, Keith (Stacy) Rathje of Ramstein AB, Germany; two daughters, Samantha (Jason) Geurts of Marshall, MN and Jaclyn Rathje of Sioux City, IA; one grandson, Everett Geurts of Marshall, MN; one sister, Naomi Graff of Conover, NC; one sister-in-law, LaDonna Rathje of Marshall, MN along with many cousins, nieces and nephews. His wife, Donna, daughter, Nichole, his parents, two brothers, Curtis and Duane; sister and brother-in-law, Lavonna (William) Snodgress; and sister-in-law, Ruth Tuttle, preceded him in death.