Frances Rathbun
July 19, 1928 — May 6, 2017
Frances R. Rathbun, 88, a resident of Eldridge, Iowa and formerly of Donahue, Iowa died on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at her home.
A service to celebrate her life will be held on at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, May 12, 2017 at Chambers Funeral Home in Eldridge, Iowa. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday at the funeral home. Private burial will be in Allen’s Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Donahue Volunteer Fire Department or the Donahue Sportsman’s Club.
She was born July 19, 1928 in Davenport, Iowa, the daughter of Frank & Rosie (Schnoor) Rohwer and was a graduate of Davenport High School. Following graduation, she attended the Central Iowa State Teacher’s College and taught in a one-room school near Scott County Park until her marriage.
On February 10, 1951, she was united in marriage to Wilfred “Hootie” Wedemeyer in Davenport. He preceded her in death on February16, 1971. She was later united in marriage to John R. Rathbun in Las Vegas, Nevada. He preceded her in death on December 28, 1999.
For 38 years, Frances was a faithful volunteer at the former St. Luke’s Hospital in Davenport. She enjoyed playing bingo and making an occasional visit to the riverboats. Frances and John made many worldwide trips with Bill Wundram, the late Rev. Christian Meyer, Tri-State Tours and other tour companies.
Those left to honor her memory include her daughter, Marla (Jerry) Postell of Mt. Vernon, Iowa; her son, Mark (Cathy) Wedemeyer of Donahue, Iowa; her step-daughter, Ann Balentine of Rock Island, Illinois; her step-son, Kevin Rathbun of Preemption, Illinois; her grandchildren, Eric Stoltenberg, Ashley Stoltenberg, Michelle Wedemeyer, Michael Wedemeyer, Matthew Wedemeyer, Carol (Aaron) Timpe, Heidi (Andrew) Dutton, Andrew (Megan) Wold and Cameron Wold; and her great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Brayanna, Bentley, Paxstyn, Jase, Kaden, Cody, Aaron, Jarod, William and Penelope.
In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by step-daughter & husband, Camey and Willie Wold; her step-son-in-law, Tom Barker; and her sister-in-law, Phyllis Miller.