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Eugene "Gene"
W. Rath • 1930 - 2007 Gene was born on July 26, 1930, in Lodi, CA, the son of Jake and Magdalina (Ferderer) Rath from Wishek, ND. He was baptized in Lodi and confirmed in Wishek, ND. His mother passed away when he was born and he was raised by his Grandparents. His only sibling was a sister who was born in 1929 but passed away at a very young age. Gene attended school in Wishek, ND. Gene entered the United States Army on January 16, 1951, service during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged on November 19, 1952, at Camp Rucker, Alabama. On June 25, 1954, he was united in marriage to his 1st love, Shirley Meyer in Bismarck, ND. They had three children, Clyde, Harley and Kimberly. Eugene had farming interests in Wishek and Baldwin, ND. The family moved to Elk Grove, CA where he owned and operated a local Chevron gas station and later worked as an upholster. The family then moved back to the Baldwin farm and later into Bismarck, where he again worked with upholstery and in construction. In 1981, Gene and Shirley moved to Minnesota where they managed the Red Fox Café for three years. While living in Royalton, MN he started a church called Granite Free Church. He then moved to St. Cloud, MN where he opened his own upholstery shop. Gene's loving wife, Shirley passed away in July of 1991. Gene continued with his upholstery business until 1997, when he moved to Parshall, ND where he assisted his family with Brendles Bay Resort. On June 4, 2006, he was united in marriage to his 2nd love Connie Meyer in Minot. The couple made their home in Minot. While living in Bismarck Gene joined the Bismarck Mandan Quartet, he was also a member of the Minot Moose Lodge. Gene was a blessing to all who knew him. Gene had a strong faith in God and loved to witness to family and friends. He was a hard worker who loved to dance, eat ice cream, and wear his cowboy hat and boots. He had a wonderful smile and was a loving man to his wife, children and his grandchildren. He had a unique quiet sense of humor and knew when to listen. When things were hard he would direct your troubles to the Lord. Survivors: wife, Connie, Minot; sons, Clyde (Ronda) Rath, Apple Valley, MN and Harley (Lisa) Rath, St. Cloud, MN; daughter, Kimberly Wangen, Martin, ND; stepchildren, Kimberly (Bruce) Whittemore, Minot, Shelly Emil (Kurt Koppelman), Minneapolis, MN, Karla (Nick) Sande, Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren, Jennifer Wangen, Scott (Melani) Wangen, Ryan Rath, Lauren Rath, Brittney Rath, Kendra Rath; great-grandchildren, Rebecca and Elizabeth Wangen; step-grandchildren, Alysia Opatz, Desiree (Chad) Utsch; step great-grandchildren, Isaiah Walton, Elizabeth Utsch, Alexis Utsch, and Kylie Utsch; mother-in-law, Rosella Sundbakken; Minot, brother-in-law, Larry (Marlys) Sundbakken, Minot, sister-in-law, Adriene Miller, Minot, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jake and Magdalina Rath, sister, Virginia Rath, wife Shirley Rath, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Herman and Florence Meyer and father-in-law, Clifford Sundbakken. Funeral Service: Monday, December 17, 2007, at 11 a.m. Zion Lutheran Church, Minot. Visitation: Sunday, December 16, 2007, from Noon until 5 p.m. at the Thompson-Larson Funeral Home Minot with at prayer service at 5 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial: North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND, on Tuesday, December 18, 2007, at 2 p.m. Service Participants: Music Honorary Bearers: Harry Renschler, Walter Rath, Wilbert
Rath
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Eugene
"Gene" W. Rath, 77, Minot, joined his Father in Heaven
on Wednesday, December 12, 2007, in a Minot hospital.