Genevieve Mae Rathke

Genevieve Mae (Brentner) Rathke
The Lord called His faithful servant Jennie home August 21, 2015. Born 91 ½ years ago on January 19, 1924 to John Westley and Lois Emmiline (Rose) Brentner, she was raised on the family farm with her sister and four brothers, and graduated from Durand High School. In 1944 she met a tall, dark, handsome man, Gerhard (Gary) Rathke, and they were wed on April 3, 1945. Gary died in 1962, leaving Jennie with a large family to raise. She did it by the grace of God, the strength of her faith and the help of her family, friends and the wonderful people of St Paul Lutheran Church and School. Through the years she was active in a broad variety of adventures, from fighting city hall to working as an election judge, a job at the Federal court house and making sure each of her children felt special. In 1963 she purchased her house on Ridge Avenue, something she was extremely proud of and thankful that she could raise her children in their own home. In 1992 she moved to the Terrace and lived there for 22 years, again active in a variety of activities including the weekly vesper services. She also traveled extensively, including trips to Alaska, Colorado, California, Canada, Mexico and throughout the Midwest. Her love of her family and of her Creator was immeasurable. She was incredible and had no time for self-pity, laziness, bigotry or injustice. Genevieve is survived by her daughter, Lois (Tom) LaSalla, five sons, Stephen (Susan), Mark (Bunny), Daniel (Mary), Tim (Menshu), and Paul (Abby). She is the grandmother to 17, great grandmother to 13 with another due in December, and always had room in her heart for more. She is also survived by her sister Doris Friemuth and brother Howard (Patricia) Brentner, sister in law Penelope (Richard) Brentner, along with a large number of cousins, nephews and nieces and innumerable friends, She was predeceased by her husband, Gary, her step-daughter Vivian (Rathke) Eggelston and her granddaughter Melissa Lewis, along with her brothers Harold, Jack and Richard Brentner and half-sister Margarita.
A celebration of her amazing life will be held at Fitzgerald’s Funeral Home & Crematory, 3910 N Rockton Ave. Rockford IL on Tuesday August 25 from 5 PM to 7 PM and from 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM Wednesday at Church. Services 11:30 AM at St Paul Lutheran Church, 600 N Horsman St. Rockford IL on Wednesday, August 26th. Interment will follow at Scandinavian Cemetery with a ceremony there and a reception to follow at St Paul Lutheran In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St Paul Lutheran School, Rockford IL. Funeral arrangements are through Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory. 3910 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, IL 61103. –Send online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com