Paul W. Rathke

Paul W. Rathke, beloved husband of the late Ruth (Tews) Rathke, passed away peacefully at Milan Estates on July 16, 2016 in Saukville, WI at the age of 97. A celebration of Paul’s life will be held at First Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cedarburg on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at 1:00 PM. Visitation will be held at the church from 11 AM until 12:45 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials to First Immanuel Lutheran Church or a memorial of your choice are appreciated. Paul was born on January 10, 1919 in Kenosha, WI, and moved with his parents to Cedarburg in 1928. He lettered in football and track at Cedarburg High School and graduated with the class of 1939. Paul married Ruth Tews, his high school sweetheart, on May 19, 1945. Paul was a kind and loving father. He was very self disciplined and treated all things with great care. Paul loved to dance and he and Ruth made wonderful partners on the dance floor, as in life. Paul was passionate about photography, with his camera always ready at family gatherings, road trips, and throughout Cedarburg. He was extremely proud to pass that passion on to his son, Ron and grandson, Michael. After retirement Paul also discovered a love of technology. From electronic day-timers and weather monitors to tablets and cell phones, he had a strong grasp on modern technology and was even texting his children and grandchildren after his 97th birthday. Paul was employed at Tews Dairy, delivering milk to homes in Cedarburg and Grafton. He was well liked and respected by his customers. He also worked at Kieckaefer and Doerr Electric, retiring in 1984. Paul is preceded in death by his loving wife of 70 years and best friend, Ruth (Tews) Rathke on February 1, 2016. He is the beloved father of Ron (Shon) Rathke and Betty (Mike) Toeller. He is the proud grandfather of Kristen (Jim) Caldwell, Erin Rathke, Michael (Francesca) Rathke, David (Charissa) Toeller, and Mel (Roy) DeSimone; and great-grandchildren Abigail, Isabelle, and Audrey Caldwell, Carter and Lauren Hare, Zooey Rathke, and Luke, Jackson, and Alethea Toeller, as well as many other relatives and friends. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, William and Anna (Neuenfeldt) Rathke, his father-in-law and mother-in-law Theodore and Alida (Klueber) Tews, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Frederick and Cora Tews, his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Alice and Harold Laubenstein, and his wife’s baby sister, Irma Tews. Paul and Ruth were devoted members of First Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cedarburg.