James Rathai, 1933-2017

Published 1:00 am Thursday, August 17, 2017

James Gene Rathai, 83, of Wells died Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017, at his home. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells. The Rev. Eugene Stenzel will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Interment will be in St. Casimir Catholic Cemetery in Wells with military honors accorded by the Wells color guard.

His family extends a special thanks to Jim’s caregivers United Hospital District Hospice, Debbie Colvin, Pam Wagner, Pam Klocek and Dolly Johnson. Thank you to all the other friends and family who came over to visit with Jim and listen to his jokes.

James Rathai

“You made him smile in his final days and we thank you!” his family said.

Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is assisting the family. To leave an online condolence, visit www.brussheitner.com.

Jim was born Dec. 29, 1933, in Walnut Lake Township, Faribault County, the son of John W. and Lela (Keys) Rathai. Jim graduated from Wells High School with the class of 1952. Jim enlisted in the United States Army and served in Germany as a private first class from 1955 to 1957, when he was honorably discharged from the military.

He was united in marriage to Avis Anderson and to this union three children were born. The couple later divorced. Jim helped Bruce Spencer move houses. He also did tiling for Giese Tiling and Howard Loegering. He worked as a concrete mason for Nordaas American Homes for many years. He later worked for Mosser Masonry for 30 years, all the way up to the time he became sick. He was a hardworking man who loved his family and could tell jokes like crazy. He enjoyed keeping his lawn tidy. He loved to dance and visit with friends and family anytime he had the opportunity. He was a devoted member of St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells.

He is preceded in death by his son, Troy Rathai; parents; brothers Kenneth and Donald Rathai; sister, Betty (Charles) Budach; and a great-grandson, Carter Michael.

Jim is survived by his children Tracy Rathai and Jill (Donald) Farley of Wells and Todd Pitcher of Somerset, Wisconsin; 10 grandchildren, John (Sara) Rathai, Jared Rathai, Jamie Rathai and McKayla Rathai, Lauren Rathai, Bobbi Jo (husband, Adam) Loggins, Jesse Farley, Keely and Tate Pitcher, Lindsay Williams and Jamie (Andy) Yokiel; two sisters, Kathryn Holway of Wells and Jean Chappell of Arizona; special friend, Myrna Schultz, of Wells and her daughter, Kathy; along with many nieces and nephews and their families, and a host of friends.