Obituary of Gordon Rathgeber

Rathgeber - Mr. Gordon Rathgeber passed away peacefully on Thursday August 16, 2012 at the Care Home in Langenburg, which was his home since November of 2010. He was 81 years of age. Gordon was born on September 26, 1930 in the Rothbury District, the second son of Lou and Carrie Rathgeber. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church and received his education at the Rothbury School. Gordon was a farmer most of his life, but in later years, spent his winters care-taking at the rink. He became a special friend to all the young people, as he tied their skates. He also volunteered at the curling rink. In November 2000, he received a Volunteer Recreation Award from the Qu'Appelle Valley Recreation Association. After dad passed away, Gordon took on the role of being grandpa to all his nieces and nephews. He was very proud of them and they in turn loved him dearly. It will be 16 years in March that Gordon suffered a stroke which left him partially paralyzed. In one day he went from an independent bachelor to a person completely dependent on his siblings and the health care system. Many, many times we heard him say, "this is sure not the way I planned to spend my retirement." As years went by, Gordon slowly but surely began to lose many of his freedoms which led him to have to move from Churchbridge to first of all South View in Langenburg and eventually to the Care Home. Gordon was predeceased by his parents, Lou and Carrie Rathgeber, his brother Albert and a niece, Joan DeCock. He leaves to mourn his passing his 5 sisters, Phyllis (George Schappert), Eileen (Leslie Popp), Vera (Jim DeCock), Carol (Vic Vovchuk), Elaine (Jerry Kaeding) and a sister-in-law, Doreen Rathgeber; also 14 nieces and nephews and their spouses, 29 great nieces and nephews and a great, great niece and nephew. He will be sadly missed by anyone who knew him. The Funeral Service was held on Monday, August 20th, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Churchbridge with Rev. Jeff Dul officiating. Kerry VanVaals shared words of remembrance of her uncle. The organist, Valerie Putland led in the singing of the hymns. "Amazing Grace", "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" and "I'm But a Stranger Here". The interment took place in the family plot in the Garden of St. Matthew at Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Duane Popp, Randy Schappert, Kevin Vovchuk, Claire DeCock, Craig Kaeding and Curtis Zulyniak serving as the casket bearers. Memorials in memory of Gordon may be made to Holy Trinity Church Memorial Fund or a charity of choice as gifts of remembrance. Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting www.baileysfuneralhome.com Funeral arrangements were in care of Bailey's Funeral Home. Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens