Janet Rathjen

Janet M. Rathjen, 77, of Eldridge, passed away on Friday, May 8, 2015 at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf after an extended illness.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at Faith Lutheran Church in Eldridge where she was a charter member.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the church.  Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Faith Lutheran Church, the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House or to Medic EMS of Eldridge.

Janet was born April 19, 1938 in Clinton County, Iowa, the daughter of John & Frieda (Tiedje) Goodell.  After Jan's mother passed away when she was 7, Jan went to live with her aunt & uncle, Herman & Florence (Goodell) Frahm who raised her as their own daughter.  Jan was a 1956 graduate of DeWitt High School, attended and graduated from Busselle beauty school in 1957.   She was united to marriage to Delmar J. Rathjen on July 27, 1957 at Faith Lutheran Church.  He preceded her in death on September 30, 1999 after 42 years of marriage.

Jan had owned & operated a beauty shop while starting to raise her family.  Jan & Delmar moved their family to the farm in 1976 and started farming, raising and milking dairy cows.  Jan also worked in the North Scott High School cafeteria as a cook/baker and retired after 21 years of service.  After her retirement, she stayed at home to babysit her youngest granddaughter, Paige.

Jan loved to play cards with her card clubs and go to lunch with her classmates.  Most of all, she loved and cherished every moment spent with her kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She lovingly supported and attended all their school and sporting events and other activities.

Those left to honor her memory include her daughters, Sheryl Lyle of South English, Iowa, Kathy (Dale) Durant of Eldridge, Nancy Rathjen of Eldridge and Karen Rathjen of Eldridge; her daughter-in-law, Kathy Rathjen of Eldridge; grandchildren, Jason, Jessica, Danielle (Justin), Dylan, Dana (Chase), Ben (Jami), Gretchen (Jake), Kyle (Krystle), Ryan, Tyler, Paige, Amanda, Christy & Mitchel; her great-grandchildren, Taylor, Skylor, Alena, Emery, Dayne, Kellan, Mason, Knox & Kenlea; her sisters, Ruby (Leroy) Claussen of Bettendorf, Lucille Kirst of Camanche, Iowa, Cynthia DeKeukeleire of Las Vegas, Nevada and Marvella (Richard) Block of DeWitt; her brothers, Gene Frahm of Stockton, Iowa, Wyatt (Diana) Frahm of Long Grove, Iowa and Jack (Marilyn) Carrico of Viola, Illinois; her sisters-in-law, Marlene (Dan) Paulsen of Long Grove, Charlene (Lyle) Littrel of Newport,Washington & Carole Rathjen of Princeton, Iowa; her brothers-in-law, Donald (Delores) Rathjen of Long Grove and Allan (Joyce) Rathjen of Eldridge; numerous nieces and nephews; and the mother of Janet's son, Dennis's children, Brenda Waline of Eldridge.

In addition to her husband, Jan was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Dennis Rathjen in 2003; four brothers-in-law; and two nephews.

Jan's family would like to express special thanks to Drs. Michael Schreck & Costas Constantinou, Medic EMS of Eldridge and the nurses and staff of the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House for all of their care towards Jan during this time.