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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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Andrea Rathje
ANDREA RATHJE
Cedar Rapids
Andrea Rathje, 35, of Cedar Rapids, was surrounded by family as she passed away Monday, Dec. 17, 2018, at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics following an accident.
Services are noon Saturday, Dec. 22, at First Church of the Nazarene, 3113 First Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, with Pastor Timothy Carter officiating.
Visitation is 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the church. Burial will take place at Czech National Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Memorials may be made to the family. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.hrabakfuneralhome.com.
Andrea was born Nov. 16, 1983, the daughter of Dr. Al and Sherrie (Wright) Novak. She attended Prairie High School and graduated from Washington High School, the Class of 2002. Following high school, she attended Kirkwood Community College. On Nov. 23, 2002, Andrea married Joel "Bubba" Rathje. Together, they were blessed with four children.
Andrea touched the hearts of all who knew her. She had the world's brightest smile and an amazing sense of humor. At an early age, she began to help her family with daily operations of ChiroCare East, which helped to build her strong work ethic. In recent years, she could be found working side by side with her husband, Bubba, operating Stryper Lawn and Landscape. (She was the brains and he was the brawn).
She hated vegetables, loved shooting guns with her dad, had a purse for every occasion and then some. Andrea always was the first person friends and family would call for help. When it came to her children, she would drop everything to be there for them; they were everything to her, and she was the best mom.
Andrea loved chocolate, anything by Ugg, riding motorcycles and ATVs. She was a proud member of the NRA.
She is survived by her husband, Joel "Bubba" Rathje of Cedar Rapids; children, Jaymin, Justin, Annabelle and AllieMae Rathje of Cedar Rapids; parents, Dr. Al and Sherrie Novak of Cedar Rapids; siblings, Dr. Al (Ashley) Novak Jr. of Cedar Rapids, Jennifer (Jason) Potter of Tama, Iowa, Mikey (Dr. Sheri) Novak of Cedar Rapids and Arielle (Ray) Pierce of Covington; grandfather, Ben Wright Sr. of Mission, Texas; grandmother, Iva Novak of Cedar Rapids; in-laws, Ken and Jeanine Rathje of Stone City; brothers-in-law, Bret (Stacy) Rathje of Cedar Rapids and Mike (AJ) Rathje of Anamosa; sister-in-law, Angie (Sean) Benaka of Stone City; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Andrea was preceded in death by her grandma, Dora Joan Wright; grandpa, Leo Novak.
Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Service is assisting with funeral arrangements.
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