Darlene C. Rathjen, of Seward, was born March 15, 1938, to Albert and Celia (Lowney) Pickel in Lincoln.
She attended Hartley Elementary, Whittier Junior High and Lincoln High School. On Jan. 8, 1956, Darlene was united in marriage to John Rathjen, Jr., at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lincoln. She was a homemaker who enjoyed taking care of her family. In her free time, she liked to cook and bake and was an excellent cook. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family and loved being a mom, grandma and great-grandma. Darlene passed away April 21, 2022, in Seward, at the age of 84 years.
She is survived by her children, Howard (Marlene) Rathjen of Lincoln, John (Luann) Rathjen of West Des Moines, Iowa, Craig (Amy) Rathjen of Hickman, and Bonnie (Todd) Meints of Garland; grandchildren, Ashley Rathjen, Zachary Rathjen (fiancée Madi Myers), Tyler (Victoria) Rathjen, Elisa Rathjen, Ethan Rathjen, Benjamin Rathjen, Hannah Rathjen, Jordan (Lizzy) Hoins, Jenna Hoins (fiancé Justin Fitchner and Jackson Hoins; great-grandchildren, Mason Rathjen, Charlotte Rathjen, Violet Rathjen, Brooks Rathjen, Marceline Martin and Alexander Hoins. Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Celia Pickel; husband, John Rathjen, Jr.; brothers, Don Pickel, Glen Pickel, Ralph Pickel, Earl Pickel; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Lavern and Ernest Scott, Maxine (Dean) Gottula.
The funeral service was April 27 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Garland with committal at the church cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested in care of the Rathjen family. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.volzkefuneralhome.com.
