- Date Of Birth: May 1, 1930
- Date Of Death: March 29, 2012
- State: Nebraska
Duane was born on May 1, 1930, to John and Freida (Buck) Rathjen in David City, NE. Duane passed away on March 29, 2012, in Seward, NE at the age of 81 years, 10 months and 28 days. Duane is a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Navy from 1951-1955. On May 23, 1953, Duane was united in marriage to Tryus Martin at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rising City, NE. Duane received a Seward High School diploma on November 3, 1992. Duane and Tryus farmed East of Seward until their retirement and then moved to Seward. He is survived by his wife, Tryus Rathjen of Seward, NE; daughter, Phyllis Rathjen of Lincoln, NE; sons and their wives, Phillip and Valerie of OR and Mark and Justeen of Waco, NE; grandchildren, Elizabeth Lucio and Heather Breaux; sister and her husband, Marcella “Sally” Kahler of Lincoln, NE; brothers and their wives, John and Darlene Rathjen of Garland, NE, Eugene and Linda Rathjen of York, NE, Curtis Rathjen of Milford, NE and Keith and Irene Rathjen of Seward, NE. Duane was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Randy and Raymond Rathjen; sister and brother-in-law, Dina and Lyle Ladwig; brother-in-law, Elmer Kahler.
