Dallas Lee Rathe

Dallas Lee Rathe, 82, of Lamont, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at his home. He was born on December 20, 1941, in Sumner, the son of Reinhold and Lenora (Aschbrenner) Rathe. Dallas was raised in rural Readlyn and was confirmed in 1956 by Pastor Strelow at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Readlyn. Dallas was a 1960 graduate of Wapsie Valley High School. He served honorably with the United States Army and the United States Army Reserves.

On August 29, 1965, Dallas was united in marriage to Mary Westendorf at Grace Lutheran Church in Tripoli by Rev. Arnold Thalacker and Rev. Arnold Aschbrenner. Six children were born to this union. Dallas and Mary worked together on the family farm.  Dallas was a lifelong farmer; a Buchanan County Farm Bureau board member for many years and served as past president.

Dallas and Mary were founding members of the Mission in Christ Lutheran Church in Strawberry Point.  He loved going to church and attending services and bible studies with his church friends and always looked forward to potlucks. Dallas enjoyed woodworking and painting. He loved to sing and was a longtime member of the Keystone Chorus in Elkader.  Dallas also loved to travel, taking many trips abroad and spent many happy winters in Arizona with Mary. Family meant the world to Dallas and cherished the times spent with them.

Survivors include four children, Todd (Robyn) Rathe of Mequon, Wisonsin, Tim (Carol) Rathe of Lamont, Dolores Hughes of Marshall, Arkansas, and Ryan (Clancy) Rathe of Prescott Valley, Arizona; 13 grandchildren, Keaton Rathe, Rebekah Rathe, Connor Rathe, Noah Rathe, Autumn Rathe, Sawyer Rathe, Brett Zierath, Blake Zierath, Maranda (John) Cook, Trent Hughes, Summer Hughes, Holly Hughes, and Irene Rathe; five great-grandchildren, Oakley Lemmons, Parker Lemmons, Caden Cook, Hudson Cook and Charlotte Cook; siblings, Michael (Sharon) Rathe, Linda (Carl) Schwanbeck, Steve (Gail) Rathe, Richard (Sandy) Rathe; sister-in-law, Kathy Rathe; brother-in-law, Gayl (Laura) Westendorf; and many nieces and nephews.

Dallas was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary Rathe in 2022; two sons, Paul and Trent Rathe; granddaughter, Lilly Rathe; brother, Robert Rathe; and son-in-law, Steve Hughes.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dallas Lee Rathe, please visit our floral store.