Date of Birth: June 19, 1920
Date of Death: September 3, 2016
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of William Rathgeber, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016 at Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.
William (Bill) Rathgeber was born on June 19, 1920 to Johann O.P. and Julianna (Weber) Rathgeber. He was the ninth of 10 children born to the family in the Shappert School district southwest of Goodeve, Sask. Bill was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church at Goodeve and remained a member there until its closure in 1965. The family then joined St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Melville, Sask. where he remained as a member until he moved to Bon Accord, Alta.
Bill received his education at Shappert School, which all of his siblings attended, since it was in the vicinity and everyone helped out on the family farm.
In February 1942, he joined the Canadian Army and served with the Kings Own Rifles of Canada (KORC) until his discharge in 1945.
On Nov. 20, 1945 Bill and Margarethe Rathgeber were united in marriage at St. Petri Lutheran Church, southwest of Goodeve. They settled on his parent’s homestead where they raised their three children.
Bill served his community in public affairs, serving on the Shappert School Board, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, secretary-treasurer for Emmanuel Lutheran Church and as a councillor in the Rural Municipality of Stanley, Division 6. In 1975, Bill and Margaret moved into Melville while still farming on a small scale. He discontinued farming in 1998.
Bill will be sadly missed by his only daughter, Glenda (Glen) Hahn of Bon Accord, Alta.; two sons, David Rathgeber of Sturgis, Sask. and Raymond Rathgeber of Goodeve, Sask.; six granddaughters, Charlotte (Raymond) Morrissey of Edmonton, Alta., Charlene (Jason) Edwards of Edmonton, Alta., Kerri Rathgeber of Yorkton, Sask., Stacey (Donald) Stachowich of Melville, Sask., Michelle (Jason) Houston of Melville, Sask. and Jennifer (Mike) Petrichuk of Melville, Sask.; 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Bill was predeceased by his wife, Margarethe Rathgeber; his parents, Johann O.P. and Julianna (Weber) Rathgeber; his siblings, Edith Ida Rathgeber, John R.P. (Theresa) Rathgeber, Elizabeth (Rudolph) Behnke, Louise Whilhelmina Rathgeber, Philip Rathgeber, Ludwig (Carolina) Rathgeber, Michael (Ruth) Rathgeber, Emilia (Herbert) Delgaty and Otillie Rathgeber.
Bill will always be remembered for his quick wit, a good game of cribbage, his love of farming and gardening, fishing and politics. He was loved and respected by all who knew him.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, Sept. 16, 2016 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the chapel of Bailey’s Funeral Home, Melville. The funeral will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, 11 a.m. from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church with the interment to commence in the Melville Municipal Cemetery.
