Gary Lee Rathman, 86, of rural Grand Mound, passed away at his home on December 25th, surrounded by his loving family.

Visitation will be held on Monday December 30^th from 4 to 7 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Bliedorn. As well as one hour before the 10:30 service on Tuesday. Burial will follow at the Pine Hill Cemetery of Grant township.

Gary was born October 5, 1938 at his parents home, 1752 185th Ave, Grand Mound, Iowa.  His parents were Jurgen William Rathman and Gladys Helen Hicks Rathman.  He was welcomed by an older sister Darlene. When he was 16, his father began working off the farm so Gary started doing all the farming on their home place.  Gary graduated from Elwood High School in 1957 and that fall he attended the winter quarter for farm program at Ames.  In May of 1961 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves. So the army controlled his vacations for the next 6 years. At discharged he held the rank of Staff Sargent. Gary met his future wife at a 4-H Builders Club meeting while he was County Vice President of the Boys 4-H Club. He married Marjorie Ann Fanger on June 16^th, 1963 in the Ascension Lutheran Church, Goose Lake, Iowa. Together they farmed the family farm for the next 60 years raising hog, corn, and soybeans. He retired from farming in 2023 when his body would not allow him to climb into the combine or the quad track anymore.

They were the proud parents of three daughters, Angela, Carol, and Beth and 5 grandchildren. Gary was a lifelong member of St John Lutheran Church, Bliedorn, where he held several offices.  He was also a member of the Farm Bureau and Clinton County Pork Producers.

As a lad Gary built and flew model airplanes. After Gary got rid of the hogs, his winter projects were to restore old rusted out lanterns and later humpback trunks.  He liked to cut wood in the timber for his wood burning stove. He was always making or remodeling something to make his farming easier. He enjoyed spending time with his daughters and grandchildren.  But his passion was farming.

Gary is survived by his wife of 61 1/2 years. His daughters, Angela Kay Rathman (Ruby Locke) of Des Moines, Iowa, Carol Ann (Donnie) Wentworth of Preston, Iowa, and Beth Marie (Jason)Singer of Shakopee, Minnesota. 5 Grandchildren, Laura Ann Wentworth, Cole Lee (Morgan Mensen) Wentworth, Rachel Blair (Michael) Denner, Dane Alex (Joy) Singer and Evey Grace Singer. Several nieces and nephews and a sister-in-law Marilyn (Scott) Spangler.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, his sister Darlene Bartelt Berger, and brother-in law Rev. Merlin Bartelt.

Special thanks to Dr. Whalen and the Dubuque Dialysis center, Jackson County Hospice and Chris Johnson, the family’s special angel.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the St. John’s Lutheran Church at Bliedorn, Hospice of Jackson County, or the American Kidney Fund.

The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is caring for the family.  Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.