Daniel D. Rathke, 62 of Emporia, died Sunday, October 29, 2017 at the Holiday Resort Care Center after struggling for more than 15 year to overcome the effects of a brain aneurysm that occurred on February 2, 2002.
Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Monday, November 6, 2017 at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home in Emporia. Pastor Lucille Barb will be officiating. Family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Sunday, November 5, 2017 at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Olpe, Kansas.
Dan was born June 5, 1955 in Emporia, Kansas the son of Walter D. and Violet I. (McElfresh) Rathke. Dan is survived by a sister Marie (Rathke) Bauer, her husband Charles, their children Grant Campbell, Joy, Peter and Hope Bauer, all of Bettendorf, Iowa and son, SPC Ross Campbell of Ft. Meade, Maryland. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and paternal uncle, Robert Rathke.
Dan did any number of things during his active life that he found interesting, never one to be held back by what others were doing. He was always reading and learning. He attended Dixon School for 5 years until it closed then came into Olpe to continue on until graduation from Olpe High School in 1973. After that he attended Flinthills Vo-Tech, completing another degree there. Even after graduation, he would study to become better at any job he held, mostly because he found new knowledge fascinating.
He played basketball for a little while in middle school until a medical issue sidelined him. After that he served as one of the school photographers. He enjoyed horses like his father before him, even participating in the founding of the Eagle Creek Saddle Club outside of Olpe while still a teenager. For several years, he served as a respected flagger at the shodeo’s in the area. He liked being outside, especially if he could photograph the wildlife or go fishing. This carried through to his time at Holiday Resort where he enjoyed the bird feeder outside his window.
Dan had several jobs in his life, working at the gas station in Olpe, or the grain elevator in Emporia but he liked his last job the best. He was a Certified Crop Advisor for Davis Agri Service, now Ag Corp. He liked the trips to get more education about the best way to help the farmers and ranchers with their chemical needs. He always liked having a good vehicle to drive, usually a little on the flashy side.
But without a doubt, his favorite times were when he got to cook at the tailgate parties for K-State football games. Whether it was for a pickup load of people or a chartered busload, he always loved these times. His chili and chocolate chip cookies were often the highlight of the menu.
He will be remembered for his gentle spirit and good humor by all who knew him. He will be missed by family and friends. The family wishes to thank the staff of Holiday Resort for treating him like part of their family while a resident.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eagle Creek Saddle Club and sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Daniel D. Rathke, please visit our flower store.
Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Monday, November 6, 2017 at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home in Emporia. Pastor Lucille Barb will be officiating. Family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Sunday, November 5, 2017 at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Olpe, Kansas.
Dan was born June 5, 1955 in Emporia, Kansas the son of Walter D. and Violet I. (McElfresh) Rathke. Dan is survived by a sister Marie (Rathke) Bauer, her husband Charles, their children Grant Campbell, Joy, Peter and Hope Bauer, all of Bettendorf, Iowa and son, SPC Ross Campbell of Ft. Meade, Maryland. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and paternal uncle, Robert Rathke.
Dan did any number of things during his active life that he found interesting, never one to be held back by what others were doing. He was always reading and learning. He attended Dixon School for 5 years until it closed then came into Olpe to continue on until graduation from Olpe High School in 1973. After that he attended Flinthills Vo-Tech, completing another degree there. Even after graduation, he would study to become better at any job he held, mostly because he found new knowledge fascinating.
He played basketball for a little while in middle school until a medical issue sidelined him. After that he served as one of the school photographers. He enjoyed horses like his father before him, even participating in the founding of the Eagle Creek Saddle Club outside of Olpe while still a teenager. For several years, he served as a respected flagger at the shodeo’s in the area. He liked being outside, especially if he could photograph the wildlife or go fishing. This carried through to his time at Holiday Resort where he enjoyed the bird feeder outside his window.
Dan had several jobs in his life, working at the gas station in Olpe, or the grain elevator in Emporia but he liked his last job the best. He was a Certified Crop Advisor for Davis Agri Service, now Ag Corp. He liked the trips to get more education about the best way to help the farmers and ranchers with their chemical needs. He always liked having a good vehicle to drive, usually a little on the flashy side.
But without a doubt, his favorite times were when he got to cook at the tailgate parties for K-State football games. Whether it was for a pickup load of people or a chartered busload, he always loved these times. His chili and chocolate chip cookies were often the highlight of the menu.
He will be remembered for his gentle spirit and good humor by all who knew him. He will be missed by family and friends. The family wishes to thank the staff of Holiday Resort for treating him like part of their family while a resident.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eagle Creek Saddle Club and sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Daniel D. Rathke, please visit our flower store.
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