Donald H. Rathjen, 90, of Davenport and formerly of Eldridge, passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at MercyOne Genesis in Davenport.
Funeral services were held on Monday, April 20, at Chambers Funeral Home in Eldridge. Burial was at Long Grove Christian Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Holy Family Catholic Church to benefit the Blessing Box food pantry outreach program or to Faith Lutheran Church of Eldridge.
Don was born June 4, 1935, in Scott County, the son of Arthur and Wilma (Goettsch) Rathjen. He was a veteran of the United States Army and was a longtime member of the Donahue American Legion.
On Feb. 15, 1958, he was united in marriage to Delores Jean Dittman in Eldridge. She preceded him in death on April 24, 2025.
Don had been employed for 42 years with the Eldridge Cooperative. He was a longtime member of the Long Grove Volunteer Fire Department and the Lions Club of Long Grove. Don had also served for a time with the Long Grove City Council. In recent years, he could be seen helping out at the pumpkin patch in Long Grove.
Among those left to honor his memory include his children, Debra (Frank) Sadd of Davenport, Donald (Sharon) Rathjen of Grand Mound, Denise (Vincent) Jackovich of Eldridge and Daniel Rathjen of LaHarpe, Ill.; six grandchildren, Jennifer (Michael) Howard, Laura (Brian) Nagle, Megan (Jeremy) Swanson, Justine (Jon) Hines, Katharine (Tye) Correy, and Hope Rathjen; his sisters, Charlene Littrel and Marlene Paulson; his brother, Alan (Joyce) Rathjen; and sister-in-law, Carol Rathjen.
In addition to his wife, Delores, Don was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers.
Don’s full obituary may be found at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.
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