Daren Kenneth Rathcke

Daren Kenneth Rathcke age 35 of Nimrod, MN died Thursday, December 23, 2010 in a logging accident in the Pillsbury State Forest near in Pillager, MN. Daren was born to Denis and Jeanine (Loween) Rathcke on January 28, 1975 in Park Rapids, MN. He was raised in Nimrod and attended school in Sebeka, MN and graduated in 1993. He attended Alexandria Technical College for one year. Daren was united in marriage to Melissa Zondlo on December 9, 1996 in Sioux Falls, SD and were blessed with five beautiful daughters Aleashia, Alexis, Ava, Alisyn and Abby and one son Aaron who died at birth. Daren loved his family and the outdoors. He loved hunting. He spent a lot of time trapping with his dad and started showing his daughters how to hunt and trap. Daren always had time to help others with anything they might need. He delivered firewood and did other various jobs for neighbors, family and friends. He enjoyed his profession of logging and doing Ironwork for the Iron Workers Union Local 563/512. Daren is survived by his wife Melissa Rathcke of Nimrod; his five daughters Aleashia, Alexis, Ava, Alisyn and Abby Rathcke of Nimrod; parents Denis and Jeanine Rathcke of Nimrod; Grandmother Lorraine Loween of Nimrod; sister Denine Holst and Eric Sonnenburg of Big Lake, MN; two brothers Alan Rathcke and his wife Lois of Sebeka; and Kris Rathcke and Amanda Shamp of Bertha, MN; nieces and nephews: Mackenzie and Shania Holst; Luke and Isaac Sonnenburg; Irelynd, Skyler and Daphney Rathcke; McKenna, Lillie and Chloe Rathcke; Jacob and Zachary Olsen; Landon Ashman; Kalei and Cutler Ashman; Sister-in-law Sarah Olsen and her husband Wade of Belle Plaine, MN; Brothers-in-law, Kyle Ashman and his wife Rishona of Pine River, MN; Kevin Ashman and his wife Jenna of Verndale, MN; many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his Son Aaron Rathcke and Grandfather Kenneth Loween. Visitation will be from 5-8 PM Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at the Wevley Funeral Home in Sebeka, MN and one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral Services will be held 2:00 PM Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at Nimrod Lutheran Church in Nimrod, MN with Pastor Mark Hesse officiating. Laura Bounds will serve as organist. Deana Skov will sing “Angels among Us” and “Daddy’s Hands” with Kim Harrington. Congregational hymn will be “On Eagle’s Wings.” Active Casketbearers will be Mike Laing, John Laing, Dave Burczyk, Lloyd Fredericksen, Larry Huntington and Al Hermann. Interment will be at Nimrod Cemetery.