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Gertrude “Gertie” Rathmann

NEW ULM — Gertrude “Gertie” Rathmann, age 86, passed away peacefully Sunday, February 16, 2020 at the Oak Hills Living Center in New Ulm.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Friday, February 21, 2020 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Ulm. Monsignor Douglas Grams will celebrate the Mass. Burial will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the St. George Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, February 20, 2020 at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home – SOUTH CHAPEL in New Ulm. Visitation will continue from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Friday at the South Chapel.

To leave an online condolence for the family, or to sign the guestbook, please visit: www.mvfh.org.

Gertrude is survived by her husband of over 66 years, LeRoy Rathmann of New Ulm; daughters, Kathleen (Robert) Radspinner of St. Paul, Deb (Steve) Sjostrom of Lafayette, Brenda Rathmann of Tucson, AZ; sons, Brian (Sandy) Rathmann of New Ulm, Duane (Cheryl) Rathmann of Waseca; 13 grandchildren, Heidi Smith, Chad Rathmann, Nicholas Rathmann, Amber Quinn, Molly Samuels, Seth Radspinner, Elise Radspinner, Lucas Sjostrom, Megan Jacobsen, Jacob Sjostrom, Liam Monson, Elliot Monson, Bailey Monson; 14 great grandchildren, Eleanor, Amelia, Nolan, Max, Lyla, Finley, Nora, Ella, Grady, Emilie, Lucy, Henry, Conan, Asher; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Thomas Rathmann; and her sisters, Agnes Guggisberg, Cecelia Beranek, Maggie Muehlbauer.

Gertrude “Gertie” Veronica Hanslick was born on July 11, 1933 to Joseph and Mary (Smasal) Hanslick and raised in Lafayette Township. She graduated from Holy Trinity High School in 1951. Shortly after high school, Gertie was united in marriage to the love of her life, LeRoy Rathmann, on November 18, 1953 at the St. George Catholic Church. Their union was blessed with six children, whom Gertie dedicated her life to raising. She was a full-time farmwife, homemaker, and mother.

Gertie lived a very active lifestyle. She enjoyed going bowling, listening to old time music, dancing, volunteering, and going out to eat. She especially enjoyed going shopping, specifically for clothes to keep up with the latest fashions. Gertie was quite the food connoisseur as well. Whether it was enjoying a meal with family or cooking it, her motto was “if there are not at least three meats and two kinds of potatoes, is it even a meal?”

Gertie was a social butterfly, life of the party, and spitfire. She loved her card clubs, traveling, going to church, and especially enjoyed going for coffee after church with friends. Above all else, her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were the light of her life. She will be dearly missed by those that knew her. Blessed be her memory.

We appreciate the kindness, patience, and help of the staff at both Oak Hills and Orchard Hills her last three years.

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