Darlene Rathje, 77, of Fulton, IL, died Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, IL.
Darlene was born April 10, 1944, in Clinton, IA, to Jacob J. and Jeanette (Buikema) Schaver. Darlene was educated in the Erie Grade School and was Valedictorian of her 1962 graduating class of Erie High School in Erie, IL. She attended Clinton Community College in Clinton, IA. Darlene married James R. Rathje on November 16, 1973, in Albany, IL. He died on March 7, 2021. She was employed by General Electric in Morrison, IL, and retired from Clinton Community College. She was a member of Garden Plain Presbyterian Church. Darlene was a passionate reader and an avid shopper. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her family.
Survivors include sons, Michael (Patti) Rathje of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Jeffrey (Kathy) Rathje of Cincinnati, OH; two grandchildren, Alex and Julia Rathje; sister, Carol Stash of Clinton; brothers, Kenneth W. (Barbara) Schaver of Morrison, IL, Donald K. (Marilyn) Schaver of Albany, Harlan (Evelyn) Schaver of Fulton, and Robert W. (Deb) Schaver of Albany; brother-in-law, Bill Rathje of Phoenix, AZ; many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, James.
A private Family Funeral Service will be held at the Fulton Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home, preceded by a private Family Visitation. Ken Renkes will officiate.
Interment will be at the Fulton Township Cemetery, Fulton, IL.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.