Rathje Jr., Henry Charles

Henry Charles Rathje Jr., 76, of Robins, passed away Friday in his home following a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, at Zion Lutheran Church, Hiawatha. The Rev. Daniel Krueger will officiate. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids. Burial will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, with military rites by Marion American Legion Post 298.

Born March 20, 1933, in Van Horne, he was married to Jeanne Marilyn Simmer on May 24, 1953, at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Atkins. Having retired from Rockwell Collins after 40 years, the couple resided in Robins, traveled, and wintered in Sarasota, Fla.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, Jeanne, are two daughters, Joni (Gary) Puckett, Florida, and Julie (Larry) Steinauer, Cedar Rapids; son, Jerry (Kay) Rathje, Atlanta, Ga.; grandchildren, Jennifer (Jonathan) Brown, Mary Nemer, Heather (Fordy) Snodgrass, Andrea Rathje, Erin Rathje, Jonathon Puckett, Derek Steinauer and Sydney Steinauer; and great-grandchildren, Jillian, JJ and Jocelyn. He is also survived by sister, Ardith Merritt; brother, Lee Rathje; and sister-in-law, Arlys Rathje.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry C. Rathje Sr. and Emma Rathje; brother, Glen Rathje; brother-in-law, Jack Merritt; and sister-in-law, JoAnn Rathje.

The family suggest that friends may, if they wish, contribute to Zion Lutheran Church, Mercy Hospice, Hiawatha, or the American Cancer Society.

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