Harriet L. Rathjen, age 97, of Marengo, died Monday, July 27, 2009 at Rose Haven Nursing Home, Marengo, following an extended illness. Funeral Services: 10:30 A.M. Thursday, July 30, 2009, First Presbyterian Church, Marengo with Rev. David Mosher officiating. Burial will be in Genoa Bluff Cemetery, rural Ladora. Friends may call from 4 to 7 P.M. Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established.

Harriet is survived by her son, Charles and wife Marion Rathjen of Marengo; two daughters, Janet Bradley and husband Ed of Newhall, IA and Joyce Fleischacker and husband Frank of Marshfield, MO; eight grandchildren, Vicki Drown, (David) of Cedar Rapids, Connie Kimball (Dan) of Palm Harbor, FL, Mary Schall (Ken) of Robins, John Rathjen (Renee) of Williamsburg, Dan Bradley (friend Barb Gaffney) of Woodbury, MN, Dave Bradley (Debbie) of Indianapolis, IN, Mike Fleischacker of Cedar Rapids and Stephanie Gensheimer (Todd) of Ann Arbor, MI; and 12 great-grandchildren, Erica and Alicia Drown, Danielle Kimball, Amanda and Garrett Shannon, Megan and Elise Rathjen, Katie and Mike Bradley, Darrian Fleischacker, and Emili and Ryan Gensheimer. Also surviving are a sister-in-law, Charlotte Goss of Rockledge, FL and special nieces, nephews and their spouses. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Kenny in 1992, four brothers, Kenneth Goss, John Goss and two in infancy, and two sisters, Margaret Janss and Adah Neuzil.

Harriet Lucille Goss was born May 18, 1912 in Blairstown, Iowa, the daughter of George W. and Minnie Shuck Goss. She graduated from Blairstown High School on May 24, 1929 and the Business College in Jackson, Michigan in 1930. Harriet married Kenneth M. Rathjen on December 24, 1932 in Aurora, IL. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Marengo for over 50 years, the Marengo Garden Club, the First Presbyterian Quilters, and the First Presbyterian Women's Association. She enjoyed quilting and helped with over 200 quilts at the church. She also enjoyed tending to her flowers.