Ronald Rathjen

Ronald Charles Rathjen 74, of W2509 County Road A South, Oostburg passed away on Sunday morning, January 13, 2008 at home among his loving family after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Ron was born March 20, 1933 in Janesville, WI. He was the son of the late Charles Elden and Mary (Vail) Rathjen. He spent most of his childhood in Dundee IL. He graduated from Dundee H.S. in 1951. He attended the University of Illinois Urbana, Elgin Community College, and the University of Wisconsin, Madison studying Horticulture/Floriculture. He was in the US Marine Corps Reserves was later drafted into the US Army 1954-1956 which interrupted his College education. He married Nancy Lynne Pajer, February 21, 1959. The couple lived in Dundee, Illinois for their first five years. They moved to Wisconsin in 1964 and then in 1969 called Oostburg home. Ron was a volunteer fireman in Dundee Il. 1959 thru 1963 serving as fire chief his last year. He was a charter member of the Durand WI Lions Club, Community Arts Club, Durand Businessmen Association, and a member of the Masonic Lodge of Durand-Pepin. He was one of the founders of the Oostburg Golf League, member of Oostburg Businessmen's association, drove school bus for the Oostburg area, and for many years an officer in the Kettle Moraine Lake Association. He loved to hunt especially with his two boys. He enjoyed golfing, all sports, especially attending his sons and grandchildren's sporting events. He enjoyed his pontoon boat on the lake, and his stays in Florida. Ron worked most of his life as a greenhouse grower which started with his dad at Dundee Floral. Moving to Durand WI, in 1964 he and his wife ran a floral shop & greenhouse. In 1969 they bought the greenhouse in Oostburg. Rathjen Greenhouses became one of the biggest wholesale Geranium producers in the region. Poor health caused Ron to retire and turn the operation to his son, Reid. He is survived by his wife Nancy, and 2 sons; Reid (Patricia) Rathjen of Oostburg, and Randal (Lynne) Rathjen of New Berlin; five grandchildren, Renee Rathjen, Remington Rathjen, Raymond Rathjen, Shawn (Tracy) Richards, Jennifer (Kervin) Mabry; and eight great grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, Paul (Cathy) Rathjen of Green Valley AZ, and Roger (Mary) Rathjen of Dundee IL; one sister-in-law Elaine Rathjen of Dundee IL; many nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles; special Aunt & Uncle Dick (Barb) Vail of Waterford WI; and many cousins. Ron was preceded in death by his brother, E. Dale Rathjen of Dundee Il. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Oostburg. Funeral services will be held at the Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg at Noon on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 with the Rev. Walter Hackney officiating. Friends may call at the Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg on Tuesday from 4-8 pm, and on Wednesday morning from 10 am until the time of service. Online condolences may be sent to wenig@wenigfuneralhome.com A Memorial fund is being established in his memory for the Sheboygan County Cancer Care Fund and the First Presbyterian Church. The staff of the Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg (920-564-2771) is serving the Rathjen family.