Obituary for Betty Rathjen
Betty Rathjen, 94, a resident of Canyon for 63 years, passed away on Monday, April 11, 2022. Private graveside services will be at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, April 15, 2022 at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Canyon under the direction of Brooks Funeral Directors. The family will hold memorial services at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, April 16, 2022 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Amarillo with Dr. Brian Hesse officiating.
Betty was born on July 20, 1927 in Three Rivers, Texas to Paul and Lena (Koemel) Schweikert. She received her teaching degree at Texas Lutheran University and received her Bachelor of Education degree in 1951 from Sul Ross State University in Alpine. She taught Kindergarten through 5th grade. Betty married Dr. Frederick William Rathjen in Corpus Christi on June 28, 1953, and in 1956 they moved to Canyon when he accepted a position at what is now WTAMU. He preceded her in death on July 19, 2009.
Betty worked at the WT Learning Center for seven years and volunteered for Partners in Palo Duro Canyon Foundation for numerous years, tending the gift shop in Palo Duro Canyon well into her late 80’s. She was a longtime devoted member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Canyon and Trinity Lutheran Church in Amarillo. Betty loved her family and dearly loved her two Corgis, Ike and Newt. She was a huge animal lover and enjoyed feeding the birds and growing flowers in her yard. She also had an immense love for books and reading.
Survivors include two sons, Kurt Rathjen and wife, Mary Ann of Alvin, TX and Eric Rathjen and wife, Bette of Arlington, TX; her sister, Marie and her daughter, Joni.
The family suggests memorials be to Lutheran World Relief, PO Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21297-1061, Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center Dr., St. Louis, MO 63141, or to Partners in Palo Duro Canyon Foundation, 11450 Park Road 5, Canyon, TX 79015.
Betty was born on July 20, 1927 in Three Rivers, Texas to Paul and Lena (Koemel) Schweikert. She received her teaching degree at Texas Lutheran University and received her Bachelor of Education degree in 1951 from Sul Ross State University in Alpine. She taught Kindergarten through 5th grade. Betty married Dr. Frederick William Rathjen in Corpus Christi on June 28, 1953, and in 1956 they moved to Canyon when he accepted a position at what is now WTAMU. He preceded her in death on July 19, 2009.
Betty worked at the WT Learning Center for seven years and volunteered for Partners in Palo Duro Canyon Foundation for numerous years, tending the gift shop in Palo Duro Canyon well into her late 80’s. She was a longtime devoted member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Canyon and Trinity Lutheran Church in Amarillo. Betty loved her family and dearly loved her two Corgis, Ike and Newt. She was a huge animal lover and enjoyed feeding the birds and growing flowers in her yard. She also had an immense love for books and reading.
Survivors include two sons, Kurt Rathjen and wife, Mary Ann of Alvin, TX and Eric Rathjen and wife, Bette of Arlington, TX; her sister, Marie and her daughter, Joni.
The family suggests memorials be to Lutheran World Relief, PO Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21297-1061, Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center Dr., St. Louis, MO 63141, or to Partners in Palo Duro Canyon Foundation, 11450 Park Road 5, Canyon, TX 79015.