April 23, 1937 – Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Service Information
St. Thomas The Apostle Church
Wednesday July 6, 2011
11:00 a.m.
Visitation Information
James W. Rathbun “Big Jim” of Watkins, Minnesota, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on June 29, 2011 at the age of 74 after a courageous battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Jim was born on April 23, 1937 in Spring Valley, Minnesota to Morrie and Nola (Warren) Rathbun. He married Marjorie DeZiel on January 18, 1958 in Spring Valley, Minnesota. Together James and Marjorie had four children, daughters; Sherry (Paul) Vergin, Cindy (Gary) Corbett and sons; Barry (Lisa) Rathbun, Todd (Fiancée’ Becky) Rathbun. Jim is also survived by his sisters; Joanne Goldammer (Goldie), Bonnie Grabau (Boyd), and his brother Steve Rathbun.
Jim was blessed with four grandchildren; Ashley Cain (Bob), Whitney Rathbun, Brady Rathbun, and Jordy Rathbun and one great-grandchild Grant Cain.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, brothers; Marlin and Keith, and his sister Donna.
Jim worked for Amoco as a proud union truck driver during his working years. After retiring, Jim and Marge moved to Watkins, Minnesota where they resided many years. In his spare time, Jim enjoyed golf, traveling to Arizona and playing card games like Cribbage and Euchre. Jim was a member of the Legion, Lions, 40&8 club, Moose Lodge and Eagles Club. Jim enjoyed being out and about socializing with people.
Funeral Mass for James W. Rathbun will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Church at 20000 County Road 10 in Corcoran, Minnesota at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday July 6, 2011. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday July 5, at the Peterson Chapel St. Michael/Albertville funeral home and again for one hour prior to the Funeral Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Interment will be in Elmwood Cemetery in Rockford, Minnesota.
The Peterson Chapel St. Michael/Albertville is proud to be serving the family.
I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. He always had such a great smile. I know he will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Ann Gill Jensen
My heart breaks for all of you. I don’t know what to say. It doesn’t seem real to me at all. He was always like another dad to me. I hope you call if you need anything at all. All of us Mies’s love you to pieces!
Please accept our sincere condolences on your loss.
All our love and sympathy to you and your family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Rathbun family. Jim was a great fun loving guy. Lots of fond memories of camping trips and Sunday card playing. He will be missed by his friends and family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Rathbun family. Jim was a great and fun loving guy. Lots of fond memories of Jim and Marge on camping trips and playing cards on Sundays.
Take care of yourself, Marg. We are all thinking and praying for the strength that we know it will take for you and the family.
Big Jim will always be in our thoughts. He was a great friend.
We send our regards to all the family, some of which we met at Jim and Marge’s 50th anniversary party. Jim is a person who will be greatly missed. Somehow he always made you feel special, he was always smiling and laughing, just alot of fun to be around. We send our deepest sympathy and prayers.