Mrs. Eleanor "Laura" Rathgeber, beloved wife of the late William Rathgeber, of Churchbridge, SK passed away on Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre in Yorkton, SK. She was 95 years of age. Eleanor was born on October 23, 1916 in the Rothbury District of SK. Her parents were Phillip and Katherine (nee Meyer) Schappert. Eleanor was united in marriage to William Rathgeber on October 13, 1936 at the Rothbury Lutheran Church located at Section 10, Township 23, Range 32, W1M (If you know where this is, good for you!) Eleanor and Willie farmed in the Rothbury District until 1964 when they moved into Churchbridge. She was a homemaker who loved to cook for her children and grandchildren. Eleanor remained in her own home after Willie's death on January 12, 1983. One of the Low Rentals in Churchbridge became home for Eleanor in 1995 where she lived until her passing. Eleanor was a quiet, kind and loving person. Her greatest love was being among her family and her many friends. She will be sadly missed but lovingly remembered by all who knew her. Eleanor was predeceased by her husband, William in 1983; her parents, Phillip and Katherine Schappert; one son, George in infancy; one daughter, Marjorie; her sisters, Minnie Laidlaw and Ann Schutz; her brothers, Albert and Rudy and her son-in-law, Mel Fostey. Eleanor leaves to mourn her passing, her son, Wayne (Linda) of Churchbridge, SK; her daughters, Doreen Holland of The Pas, MB and Kathy Fostey of Yorkton, SK; her seven grandchildren, Clinton, Sheila (Rick), Rhonda (Ed), Shelley (Don), Neil (Trica), Denise (Barry) and Kelvin (Theresa); her fourteen great-grandchildren, MacKenzie, Kelsey, Presley, Marcus, Brieanna, Matthew, Tessa, Royce, Ella, Mallory, Fallon, Kody, Kallie and Keilan; her sisters, Elizabeth Rathgeber of Yorkton, SK, Noreen Schaan of Regina, SK; her brother, George (Phyllis) Schappert of Churchbridge, SK, as well as many other relatives and friends. Funeral Services were held on Friday, August 10, 2012 from Trinity Lutheran Church in Churchbridge, SK with Pastor Jeff Dul officiating. The organist, Vallery Putland, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "A Mighty Fortress", "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" and "What A Friend We Have In Jesus". Following a luncheon in the Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, the Interment Service was held in the Yorkton Memorial Gardens, Yorkton, SK. The pallbearers were Clinton Fostey, Kelvin Holland, Neil Rathgeber, Kody Holland, Ed Gibler and Don Treppel serving as casket bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
