George Rathje

George R. Rathje, age 87 of Waco, died Friday, October 28, 2005 at Stromsburg. He was born October 4, 1918 at Surprise, NE to Julius and Henrietta (Rathjen) Rathje. George was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in York and was a lifelong farmer in York County. On August 10, 1941 he was married to Bernice Ehlers at York. He is survived by his wife Bernice of Stromsburg; son Lyle Rathje and daughter Sharon Rathje both of Waco; brothers, Elmer (LaVon) Rathje and Glenn Rathje all of York; sisters, Mildred (Wilbur) Naber of Waco and Evelyn (Lewis) Driewer of Republican City, NE. Also surviving are a brother-in-law Wilbur Schlechte of York, sister-in-law Deloris Bartholomew of Tamara, NE and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter Marilyn, brothers Richard, Marvin and John and a sister, Anna Schlechte. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 1, 2005 at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in York with the Reverend Tim Marshall officiating. Interment will be in the Vernon Cemetery, southeast of York, NE. Visitation will begin at the mortuary Sunday at 2:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends and neighbors Monday evening from 6-8 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the family or the donor’s choice.