By HDN Staff
Eleanor Irene Rathbun, 95, died Thursday, May 3, 2001 at a Havre care center of natural causes.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Messiah Lutheran Church with Pastor Tim Hauge officiating. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery with a fellowship to follow at the Messiah Lutheran Church.
Rathbun was born Sept. 1, 1905 to Anthony J. and Nettie (Greb) Alex at Kensal, N.D. She moved with her family in 1912 to homestead north of Hingham. She attended North Hingham Grade School, and Hingham and Rudyard high schools.
On Oct. 6, 1924, she married Earl "Pat" Rathbun in Havre in a double ceremony with Phillip "Jim" Rathbun and Aleta Citkus.
They farmed near Hingham. They moved into Hingham in the early 1940s and continued to farm until the 1970s. She remained in Hingham until 1989, when she moved to the Northern Montana Care Center.
Rathbun enjoyed crocheting, knitting, bowling, baking bread, making doughnuts and playing bingo. She was active in Royal Neighbors and the Odd Fellows.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Pat Rathbun in 1985; brothers, Eddie, Harry, Tony, John and Glen Rathbun; sister, Myrtle Ditmar; infant daughter, Irene Rathbun; great-grandson, Jason Groseclose.
Survivors include her daughter, Carole Anderson of Kalispell; son, Robert Rathbun of Gildford; sister, Mildred Sedivy of Havre; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Highline Ambulance Service, c/o Bobbie Langel, Box 64, Rudyard, MT 59540 or to a person's choice.
Services and arrangements are under the direction of the Holland and Bonine Funeral Home.
