Retired US Army Master Sgt. Allan Loyd Rathke, 89, ofFredericksburg, VA passed away at Mary Washington Hospital on Monday March 14, 2016.
Allan was born on May 26, 1926 to Otto and Helena (Wendt) Rathke in Beemer, NE. He graduated from high school and was drafted during WWII. After being discharged for a short time, he rejoined the US Army from which he retired in 1971 having served in WWII, Korea and Viet Nam. During an assignment in Japan, he met his future bride, Mary Lou Lamb, and they were married in January 1955, in Arlington, VA. After the Army, he joined Hecht's, later Macys, for 20 years, finally retiring for good in 1991. Allan and Mary moved to Fredericksburg in 1992, where they are members of the Redeemer Lutheran Church. Survivors include his wife, Mary; two sons, Gary and Glen; two daughters, Linda and Lois; one sister Doreen Leffler and grandson Christopher. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and a sister.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 from 9 am to 10 am, at the Redeemer Lutheran Church, with funeral services beginning at 10 am, with Reverend Robert Koehler officiating. Interment will be at 12 noon in Quantico National Cemetery with full Military Honors. Donations to Rikki's Refuge are suggested by the family , at rikkisrefuge.org or mail to P.O. Box 1357 Orange, VA 22960