Died Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at Dunklau Gardens
Bonnie Lee (Allen) Rathke, 86, was born March 20, 1933 on a farm northwest of Fremont to Myron and Grace (Bader) Allen. Growing up she was a member of Bethel Methodist Church. She graduated from Fremont High School in 1950. She held jobs at Northwestern Bell Telephone Co., Hormel office, and the Mead ordinance plant. In 1952 she married John Kupfer and they had 3 sons, Jeff, Gregg & Doug (Pud).
Bonnie was a lifetime member of Salem Lutheran Church where she was active in circle, Sunday school and choir. Bonnie operated Toddle Inn pre-school in her home for 8 years. She then worked at Fremont Public Schools in food service for 32 years while also providing home health care before retiring in 2008. In 1987 Bonnie married Ron Rathke. Throughout her life, Bonnie loved music, cooking and being around youth of all ages.
She is survived by sons Jeff Kupfer (Lori) of LaVista, Gregg Kupfer (Cheryl) of Omaha; 5 grandchildren Ryan Kupfer (Chris), Michael Kupfer (Hannah), Taylor Thielen (Andrew), Ian Kupfer (Casey), Seth Kupfer; 2 great-grandsons, Nolan and Thomas; stepchildren Shelley (Mark) Hetzler of Colorado Springs, CO, Neal (Laura) Rathke of Colorado Springs, Co, Ronna (Bob) Sanny, of Steamboat Springs, CO, Sharon (Brian) Whisler of Fremont; step-grandchildren Joel, Garrett, Breanna, Ryan, Rick, Abby, Alan, Jennifer, Heidi, Jill, many step-great-grandchildren; and her two special childhood friends for over 70 years, Gretchen Johannesen and Janice Moss.
Bonnie was preceded in death by husband Ron Rathke, son Douglas Kupfer, step granddaughter, Marla Rathke, two sisters and four brothers.
The memorial service will be 10:30am, February 13 at Salem Lutheran Church. The Rev. Shari Schwedhelm will officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials to Salem Lutheran church, Salvation Army, and Lutheran Family Services.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Condolences(6)
Don L Kruse
St. George, UT Tuesday, February 18, 2020 Dear Greg, Jeff, Family of Bonnie, as you remember I grew up in the old neighborhood of Fremont and I have such great memories of your Mother, she was always very kind, and inviting, she never made me fell unwelcome, I miss those times when i would go over to See Doug (Pud) and she always seemed to be baking or cooking something, I remember the anise candy and of course the Dog House where one of you would be in trouble and she would hang your tag in the Dog house. She would also give us extra helpings in the lunch line at school, which as a teenager was really cool. She is simply a Great person, she is missed. Thanks for sharing her with everyone, I am sure she is very Happy being back with Doug. God Bless You allVerla Swearingin
Lincoln, NE Thursday, February 13, 2020 Dear Jeff, Greg, and Bonnie's extended loving family:I am thinking of you and many other friends today as you provide a special tribute to Bonnie. Your last goodbyes will cover many emotions, even laughter, which will be so appropriate as I remember Bonnie's easy laugh and endless smiles. It was a pleasure visiting her at Shalimar and Dunklau Gardens. I will miss her and yet am happy she is where she longed to be. Rest In Peace Bonnie!
Blessings to All ...
from Verla McClay/Hansen/Swearingin, FHS Class 1950,
now visiting in Southern California.
Beverly Nelsen
LINCOLN, NE Saturday, February 8, 2020 Greg and Sheryl. My prayers are with you at the loss of your Mother. May the LORD give you peace and comfort.Dwain Acker
Lincoln, NE Sunday, February 2, 2020 To Bonnie's Family:Love Thoughts & Prayers in your time of grief from FHS '50
Clasmates.
Dwain Acker
Tess Johannesen Welstead
Elkhorn, NE Saturday, February 1, 2020 Bonnie will certainly be missed. She, Janice and my mom we're friends forever. I was always envious of their special friendship. On a fair number of occasions, I joined them for lunch and was always welcomed as one of the girls. I even had them all over to my house for lunch several times in years past. It was always a blast with lots of good laughs. She was a special lady and a wonderful friend to my mother.Greg Johnson
Lenexa, KS Wednesday, January 29, 2020 Kup and Cheryl, and Jeff and family- I am so very sorry for your loss. I've got tons of great memories of Bonnie and you guys, and I know we have enjoyed sharing some stories over the years. I'm hoping she enjoys reuniting with those ghat she’s grieved and missed. God bless all of you.Greg and Kelly, and Taylor Johnson