David E. Rathjen

David was born to Herbert and Frances (Weiland) Rathjen in Wichita, Kansas on March 21, 1943. They later moved to Lincoln.

David graduated from Lincoln High School and University of Nebraska–Lincoln. While at UNL, he followed in his parent’s footsteps and met and married the love of his life, Glatha (Green), on August 8, 1964.

David was raised, confirmed and married at Grace Lutheran Church, Lincoln. His unwavering faith led his children to the faith and sustained him throughout his life. One of his last statements of faith was that he would soon be with Christ.

David said he had three main parts of his life, professional, historical and musical. He was especially proud of his membership in the American Society of Civil Engineers. He was also a third generation member of the Lincoln Engineers Club. In addition, he was a member of the American Public Works Association.

David was also a lifelong rail fan, belonging to the National Railway Historical Society, Lincoln Railfan Club, Omaha Camrail Club, Colorado Railroad Museum, Union Pacific Historical Society and Burlington Historical Society. Precious memories for David included time with family at various railroad museums and train trips.

Musically, David was involved in church choir from an early age. He participated in the Lincoln Boys Choir for five and a half years before he graduated from high school. During high school, he played flute in the band and orchestra, sang in the madrigal choir and played in the Lincoln Youth Symphony. At the UNL, he sang in the University Singers and the Madrigals and he played the flute and piccolo in the University Orchestra and Band. He continued to sing in church choirs throughout his life and sang in the Lincoln Lutheran Choir. Most recently, he played the flute and piccolo in the Lincoln Community Concert Band and in the Grace Lutheran bell choir.

Among the many organizations he supported are the World Wildlife Federation, Arbor Day Foundation, Doctors Without Borders and Engineers Without Borders. And he loved his Olli classes through the UNL.

He supported many local organizations, “too many to name,” and maintained a long time membership at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo in order to, “support families, community, society and compatriots on our journey through space.” It was his delight to take his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to the zoo on his grandparents membership pass.

Throughout his life, David prided himself on keeping the family cars running and harvests from his large garden. His face always lit up at the sight of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and, most of all, his wife of nearly 62 years.

David is survived by his loving wife Glatha, brother Ken Rathjen, brother-in-law John Green, his three children Robin (Gary) Kapostasy, Nathan Rathjen, Kendra (Brent) Jensen; six grandchildren Joshua (Destinee) Ramos, Emily (Abe) Felix, Jason (Kelly) Guern, Noah (Riley) Guern, Raymond Guern, Alyssa Rathjen; two close step-grandchildren Jillian and Anders Jensen; six great-grandchildren Skyler, Alexander, Christopher and Oliver Ramos, Kestrel Felix, and (unborn) Alexander Guern; many cousins, nieces and nephews and other family members.

Visitation will be held at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home from 5pm-7pm on Thursday, June 18th. Funeral Service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church at 11am on Friday, June 19th with Pastor Emily Johnson officiating.

Memorials may be given to Grace Lutheran Church, Lincoln Children's Zoo, Lincoln Community Concert Band or Engineers Without Borders.