Service Information
Donald P. Rath, age 87, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at Hutchinson Health in Hutchinson.
Memorial Service will be held Saturday, November 26, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. at Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson with interment in Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.
Military Honors by the Hutchinson Memorial Rifle Squad.
Obituary
Donald Paul Rath was born on July 4, 1935, in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota. He was the son of Paul and Emma (Rath) Rath. Donald was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in his faith as a youth at Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo Lake. He received his education in Buffalo Lake, and was a graduate of the Buffalo Lake High School Class of 1953.
Donald entered active military service in the United States Army on March 18, 1957, and served his country during Peacetime in Germany, where he met his future wife, Renate. He received an Honorable Discharge on September 15, 1959, at Fort Sheridan in Illinois, and achieved the rank of Corporal.
On May 22, 1959, Donald was united in marriage to Renate Meier at the courthouse in Erlangen, Germany, and then also at the Army Chapel in Erlangen. This marriage was blessed with three children, Gerald, Patricia and Michael. Donald and Renate resided in Buffalo Lake from 1959 to 1965, and later moved to Hutchinson, Minnesota. They shared 61 years of marriage until Renate passed away on May 2, 2021.
Donald worked in production at 3M for 31 years until he retired in 1994. Donald was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson and volunteered with the church newsletter.
Donald enjoyed the outdoors, going hunting, fishing and walking his dogs. He also enjoyed listening to polka music and after his retirement he taught himself to play the concertina which he did very well. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends.
Donald passed away on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at Hutchinson Health in Hutchinson, at the age of 87 years.
Blessed be his memory.
Donald is survived by his:
Children, Gerald Rath and his wife, Valerie of Iowa City, IA,
Patricia Jutting and her fiancée, Harold Julius of Kansas City, MO,
Michael Rath and his wife, Joyce of Hutchinson, MN,
Grandchildren, Dustin Jutting and his wife, Victoria, Matthew Jutting, Andrew Jutting, Mikaela Jutting, Caitlin Rath and her significant other Austin Cooper, Tyler Rath and Michael Berry;
Great-Grandchildren, Janis Jutting, Layla Jutting, Taylen Cooper and Zane Jutting;
Brothers, Roger Rath of Hector, MN,
David Rath and his wife Deb, of Buffalo Lake, MN;
Sister, Marion Fenske and her husband, Donald of Hutchinson, MN;
Many other relatives and friends.
Donald is preceded in death by his Parents, Paul and Emma Rath; Wife, Renate Rath; Brother, Alvin Rath; Sister, Carolyn Fredrickson and her husband, Raymond.
Patricia Jutting says
Miss you forever and always Daddy…always in my heart…forever in my soul…until we meet again…you are my Hero…my memories of you will forever be cherished…(especially our many fishing adventures and you teaching me everything I know about fishing especially cleaning fish.) Love You always…Patty
Gerald Rath says
I am thankful for having him as my Dad and for his teaching, guidance; as well as instilling his values of personal responsibility and self empowerment which I continue to live by today. Now he is reunited with Mom and is at peace with the Heavenly Father! Miss you, but will see you again in the eternity of Heaven!!
Nita Rath Totushek says
Gerald, Mike, Patty and families,
Sorry for your loss. Thinking of you at this difficult time. Don & Renate are together again.
Heather Kvale says
Don, you were our neighborhood social butterfly!! Thanks to your faithful dog-walking, we got to know you these past years and were able to be a friend to you during your grief of losing your wife and then dog. You were a delight to know, Don. I treasure our last visit, and I regret that I didn’t get back to see you before you passed. So looking forward to seeing you again in Heaven!
Gerald Rath says
Thanks to all who have kept my Dad and family in thoughts and prayer. I am thankful for having him as my Dad, for his teaching, and guidance; including empowering values of personal responsibility and self sufficiency which I continue to live by. Now Dad is reunited with Mom, and at peace with the Heavenly Father! Miss you and will see you again in Eternity of heaven!!
Gerald Rath says
Thanks to all who have kept my Dad and family in thoughts and prayer. I am thankful for having him as my Dad and for his teaching, guidance; as well as instilling his values of personal responsibility and self empowerment which I continue to live by today. Now he is reunited with Mom and is at peace with the Heavenly Father! Miss you, but will see you again in the eternity of Heaven!!
Dawn Halverson says
Gerald and family of Donald, I am So sorry for your loss.
Praying the Lord will comfort you at this difficult time.
Allen Benusa says
Donnie and Renate were the nicest neighbors. If the front door of their home was open, it was a signal that they were accepting visitors. And they liked to visit! Donnie would often be outside with his dog holding a “neighborhood meeting” in the street. More than once Donnie and I would just sit down on the front steps and have a beer together and talk about life. I miss both of them and the neighborhood meetings. Donnie and Renate are together again, this time forever in Heaven.
Ben Julius says
To Patty ,Gerald, Mike so sorry for the passing of your father. You and yours have my deepest sympathy. May Donald RIP.
Becky (Ahlbrecht) Dillingham says
So sorry to hear of this man’s passing. I did not know him well but went to school with his niece- Rachel (Fenske) Selchow and spent many happy days at Marion and Donald’s house in Buffalo Lake. Losing a family member can be heartbreaking- I hope for peace and pray for consolation for everyone affected in the days ahead.
Connie M Hogan says
Jack and I were so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. We absolutely loved being neighbors on Lewis Ave. Don will be surely missed. Our condolences. Connie Jack Hogan