Ruby Edna Rathjen, 94, of Lisbon, Iowa, died during her morning walk on Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 30 at Seeds of Faith Lutheran Church, Lisbon. A visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Masks will be required for all events. Burial will take place in Oakdale Cemetery, Wilton.
Memorials may be directed to Lutheran Social Services, Seeds of Faith Lutheran Church or Rochester Methodist Church. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.
Ruby was born on Nov. 1, 1927, in Muscatine County, the daughter of Henry and Edna (Fick) Dall. She graduated from Wilton High School with the class of 1945. Ruby then attended Iowa State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls. Ruby married Donald V. Rathjen, Sr. on Dec. 25, 1948 in Davenport, Iowa. Donald passed away on March 6, 1990.
Ruby worked as a teacher at rural schools in Cedar County. Ruby was also one of the first female auctioneers in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. She was a 4-H leader for many years. She raised cattle, hogs and miniature horses, and enjoyed taking her horses to participate in parades in the surrounding communities. Ruby was a member of the Cedar County Farm Bureau, the Wilton Business and Professional Women’s Club, the United Methodist Women, and the Seeds of Faith Lutheran Church, Lisbon. In her spare time, she enjoyed sending and receiving cards and letters.
Ruby will be dearly missed by two daughters, Dixie (John) Wyckoff of Mission, Texas and Diane Winekauf of Forreston, Illinois; one son, Donald (Leanne) Rathjen Jr. of Atalissa, Iowa; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.
Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald; and her sister, Janice Marks.
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