COMFREY–Marian Loretta (Helget) Rathman, formerly of Comfrey, peacefully passed away, surrounded by family, on May 26th, 2025, after 99 years of a life well lived.

There will be a visitation on Monday, June 2, 2025, from 10:00 am to 10:50 am with a eulogy at 10:50 at St. Paul Catholic Church in Comfrey. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 am at St. Paul Catholic Church with burial to follow at the church cemetery. The clergy will be Father Nathan Hansen. Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Comfrey, MN. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com

Born to Michael and Rose (Haala) Helget on Oct 8, 1925, in rural Sleepy Eye, MN, her childhood years were simple…farm life, and country schools. In her late teen years, she met her true “Valentine”, Val Rathman, at a small town dance, and then waited for his safe return from his military service during the war, and they married on April 9, 1947. Together they raised 3 children and continued their love of the land and farm life, raising livestock, growing grain, and Marian’s constant flock of chickens to tend. Her gardens were always a beautiful combination of carefully planned flowers, in neat rows, shortest to tallest to conceal the vegetable gardens behind them. Cucumbers would be canned into many varieties of pickles. Always neatly arranged on the shelves in the cellar, in hopes that they would last until the next season, which rarely happened. Baking was preferred over cooking, and if you knew Marian, you likely enjoyed her famous lemon jelly roll dessert. Sought after and often fought after. There was nothing better.

Marian was a masterful and creative seamstress, often taking on projects as difficult as suits and coats with finished perfection. Her sewing talents also included quilting, and she was known for her personalized ever-so-soft baby quilts that were hand embroidered with the baby’s name and birthdate. Always too pretty and special to be used, many are probably still kept as family heirlooms.

After retiring from farm life, they moved into Comfrey where she thoroughly enjoyed remodeling their home, decorating it to her personal preference and style. Every Christmas she spent endless hours putting up her tree and decorations and showcasing her angel collection. She and Val enjoyed many trips with family to Mexico, Hawaii, and summer family get-togethers at Breezy Point and Lake Washington.

As years progressed, and independence declined, they unselfishly moved closer to family in North Mankato. It was a win-win for everyone, as more time was spent with her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and they adored her. Her dedication, determination, and constant love was an inspiration for all who knew her, and all that knew her loved her.

She will be forever missed by her children – Jeanne (Steve) Reiner, Michael (MaryAnn) Rathman, and RoseLynn (Chuck) Wingert, all from the Mankato area; 6 Grandchildren – Jerry (Amy) Reiner, Jeff (Teresa) Reiner, Amy (Guy) Lindvall, Chris (Stacy Orth) Rathman, Kelli (Patrick) Moes, and Derek (Ines) Wingert and 10 Great-Grandchildren – Amanda, Rose, Grace, Ben, Jack, Aleeya, Adyson, Evelyn, Markus and Petra. Marian was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 72 years, Val, siblings, Lorraine Haecherl, Verena Krebs, Ivona Windschitl, LaMonte Helget, and their spouses.

A special thank you to the staff and caregivers at Oak Terrace Senior Living for their wonderful care.

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