Nora Martha Rathe, daughter of Henry C. and Emilia Hagenow Hennings, was born September 17, 1921, in Bremer County, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church of Bremer, Iowa.

            Nora was united in marriage with Frederick J. Rathe on April 6, 1941 at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church of Readlyn, Iowa. The couple lived and farmed in the Tripoli area for several years and had three children before Nora moved to Tripoli. Nora was a caregiver for grandpa, grandma and other family members and friends.   

            In her free time, Nora enjoyed her hobbies of embroidery and needlepoint. She was proud of her violets and loved to care for them. She was a member of the Women’s Circle at Grace Lutheran Church, and loved watching the Chicago Cubs and local college basketball games.

            Nora’s death occurred on Wednesday, July 20, 2011, at National Health Care Center in Maryland Heights, Missouri. She was eighty-nine years old.

            She is survived by two sons, Larry Rathe of Garden City, South Carolina and Donald (Jade) Rathe of Rock Springs, Wyoming; one daughter, Mary Jane (Raphael) Layne of Florissant, Missouri; four grandchildren; three great grandchildren; two step great grandchildren; one brother, Henry Hennings of Tripoli; and many nieces and nephews.

            Nora was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Fred on August 19, 1969; one great grandson, Brayden Rathe; four brothers, Art, Elmer, Ed, and Harvey Hennings; five sisters, Esther Pries, Mildred Schwerin, Helen Wente, and Hilda and Elda, both who died in infancy; and a daughter-in-law, Peggy Rathe.

            Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 25, 2011, at Grace Lutheran Church in Tripoli with Rev. Miles Renaas officiating. Burial will be at Grace Lutheran Cemetery, Tripoli. Friends may call from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Sunday, July 23, 2011, at Rettig Funeral Home in Tripoli and for one hour before services at the church on Monday.