Marjorie S. Rath

STRATTON -- Marjorie S. Rath, 84, died Saturday (Feb. 1, 2003) at Presbyterian -- St. Luke's hospital in Denver, Colo. She was born Feb. 16, 1918, at Sutton, to Hall E. and Mabel C. (Chambers) Beattie. At the age of 14 months, following the death of her mother, she went to live with her aunt and uncle, Cora and Victor Anderson, who raised her as their own in their home at Ragan.

She attended and graduated from Ragan High School and went on to receive her normal training before starting her teaching career. She taught at a country school near her home before accepting a teaching position at a country school south of Palisade.

On Dec. 25, 1937, she married Wayne S. Rath at her aunt and uncle's home near Saronville. They moved to a farm north of Stratton where she was a substitute teacher at Stratton Schools, and taught at a country school south of town. In 1948, they moved their home to Stratton, where they leased and ran the Frontier Service Station. In 1959 they purchased the Skelly Service Station, and she retired from teaching to help run the business.

She was a member of Community United Methodist Church in Stratton, and a member of the United Methodist Women. She was a former member of the Stratton Women's Club and the Busy Bee Club.

Preceding her in death are her parents, Hall and Mabel Beattie; her aunt and uncle, Cora and Victor Anderson; her husband, Wayne S. Rath; son, Gary Rath; and sisters, Alice Milek and Georgia Ball.

Survivors include her daughter, Sharolyn Troutman of Stratton; son, Bob Rath and wife, Diane of St. Regis, Mont.; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Thursday, at 11 a.m., at the Community United Methodist Church in Stratton, with the Rev. Norman Prather officiating. Interment will follow services at Rose Hill Cemetery in Stratton.

Visitation is today until 7 p.m. at Forch Funeral Chapel of Stratton.

Memorials may be given in her name.

Arrangements are under the direction of Forch Funeral Chapel of Stratton.