Thomas “Tom” Arthur Rathe

Thomas “Tom” Arthur Rathe, 80, of Eldora, passed away on Friday, May 14, 2021, at Eldora Specialty Care, following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was also under Care Initiatives Hospice. Cremation rites will be conducted, and a private inurnment will be held at Eastlawn Memory Gardens in Eldora. The Abels Funeral and Cremation Service-Creps Chapel is caring for Tom and his family. For further assistance, please call the funeral home at 641-858-2181.

Tom was born on Oct. 28, 1940, in Waterloo, Iowa, to his parents Arthur Carl and Helen Chloe (Whitscheu) Rathe. Tom attended school in Waterloo, and later served in the United States Army, during the Vietnam War. Tom was stationed in Texas, later in Detroit, where he was honorably discharged. On Jan. 15, 1977, Tom was united in marriage to Beth Ann Shore at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Eldora. The couple welcomed son Thad into their family.

For 35 years, Tom worked as a machinist for Fisher Controls in Marshalltown, where he retired from. In his free time, he enjoyed working on projects around his home.

Tom is survived by his wife of 44 years, Beth Rathe of Eldora; son Thad (Jess) Rathe of Erie, Colorado and their sons, Tim and Will Rathe; brothers-in-law Joe Shore and Randall Shore, both of Eldora. He rejoins in Heaven his parents; brothers Harry (Dorothy) Rathe, Richard (Pauline) Rathe and sisters Esther (Robert) Michaelson, Dorothy (John) Dines, Alice Rathe and Lorraine.

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