Henry Moeller Rahe

Henry thought obituaries were more newsworthy if they included the cause of death. We therefore can report that he was diagnosed with acute myeloma leukemia on August 6. He would want it to be clear that he did not have Covid-19 and was fully vaccinated and always wore a mask in public. In late September, after consulting with his doctor, he decided that due to his age and the harsh effects of treatments, he would rather die comfortably at home. He signed himself into Hospice of Southern Illinois and then the Saturday before he passed, he mowed his lawn, as a hospice patient. Although, he had to repair the mower first.

This event sums up Henry’s life. Always active; always fixing machinery. His son Daniel accused him of liking to farm because he could fix things, not because he enjoyed farming that much. He worked hard all his life as a farmer, then a river tankerman and mechanic. But he considered most of it as having fun, not work. Henry was an avid reader and was curious about many topics. He loved reading about everything from farming, politics, world affairs and even Hollywood gossip.

Henry was born December 18, 1928, at St. Louis Maternity Hospital, a son of Henry W. and Helen Rahe, nee Moeller. He arrived at his lifelong home via the Missouri Pacific “Dinky” train to Warnock Station in the Monroe County Bottoms. The last two miles to the farm were in his Uncle George’s Model T. He claimed to remember this event but the voracity remains unverified.

Henry attended Schallom School and then Valmeyer High School, class of 1946. After high school, he farmed with his father until he was drafted into the United States Marine Corps in 1951. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton, California when he met and married Elizabeth “Belle” Bustamante. They were married August 29, 1953. The newlyweds drove cross country in October of 1953 to rural Valmeyer where they farmed and raised a family.

Henry was preceded in death by his parents; wife Belle and a son, David. He is survived by a daughter-in-law Maribeth Rahe, sons Daniel (Brenda) Rahe and Edward (Leanne) Rahe. Honorable mentions to Joe (Suzanne) Siburt and Steve Hof; grandchildren Deandra (Lt. Col. USAF Robert) MacDermott; Nathan(Courtney Munch)Rahe; Allison (Matthew) Rude; Zachary (Rebecca) Rahe and Erik Rahe; great-grandchildren Daniel, Henry and Otto MacDermott, Charles Rude and Eleanor and Rhiannon Rahe; sister-in-law Stella Espinoza and a brother-in-law Victor Bustamante; cousins and nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements are with Valhalla-Gaertner-Holten Funeral Home in Belleville. Henry and his family would have been satisfied being served at Quernheim’s, but since his son Ed is a funeral director associated with Valhalla, Henry would think it appropriate to keep the business within the family.

Visitation will be Sunday, Oct. 17 from 1-5 pm at Zoar United Church of Christ, New Hanover, fellowship hall. 9103 D Road, Columbia, IL 62236. The following morning, Oct. 18, his body will lie in repose from 9 am to 11 am on the front porch of the old house at the Rahe farm, 8952 Levee Rd, Valmeyer, IL 62295, where callers are invited to have a last cup of coffee and donuts with Henry on the front porch (bring a lawn chair if attending) A funeral procession will depart the farm at 11 am for an 11:30 am funeral service at Zoar United Church of Christ. Pastor R.J. Morgan assures us services will conclude in time for noon dinner. Henry closely held to his noon dinner (its not lunch) schedule especially during planting and combining time. Cremation will follow.

A special thank you to the Caring Staff of Hospice of Southern Illinois and the doctors and nurses at Sindelear Cancer Center at Mercy South Hospital in St. Louis. Memorial Donations are suggested to the Monroe County Farm Bureau Foundation or Zoar United Church of Christ.

*Please deliver all flowers to the church.