COTTAGE GROVE - Viola Marie (Statz) Rathert, entered eternal life on Saturday, July 12, 2025. She was 96.

Viola was born on March 26, 1929, at home in rural Waunakee, Wis., to Joseph and Martha (Maly) Statz, the oldest of three children. She was taken on a bobsled by horse to her Baptism on March 31, 1929, because of a snowstorm that had closed the roads. This was the beginning of her faith filled life devoted to the Catholic Church.

After completing 8th grade graduation and the passing of her mother in January of that year, Viola’s father asked her to stay at home to help on the family dairy farm and raise her brother, Cyril and sister, Henrietta. Viola worked tirelessly and without complaint milking cows, cooking meals for the family and the many thrashers who helped during harvest, doing laundry and keeping house. Viola began driving with the okay from the local police officer in Waunakee at the age of 15, no driver's test needed. She drove her brother and sister to school daily.

At the age of 20 she moved off the family farm to the big city of Madison living in an apartment with four girlfriends who became lifelong friends even after they all married, had children and moved to different areas of the country. She spent her 20s going to dances, participating in bowling leagues and traveling throughout the U.S. including a trip to Cuba.

Viola’s first job off the farm was working at Webcrafters as a binder. She learned how to run a printing press for the American Cancer Society. She then went to work at National Guardian Life Insurance Company running a printing and photo press until she married. She took time off to raise her family. She returned to NGLIC in 1974 until her retirement in 1992. After her retirement from NGLIC she worked at a local greenhouse, fostering her love of plants. She deeply cherished her role as Grandma and Great-Grandma to her nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

In 1960 she met Duane Rathert at a dance. They were married on September 30, 1961, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Waunakee and moved to the Rathert Family Fur Farm in Cottage Grove raising mink for 40 years. Together they had six children.

Viola was a lifelong member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Cottage Grove, Wis. She taught religious education, helped with funeral lunches and sang in the church choir. She was a dedicated member of the Madison Catholic Women's Club, participating in the annual fashion show and serving as club president for two years. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 0248.

Duane and Viola traveled extensively after their retirements including trips to Hawaii, Europe, the Holy Land and throughout the U.S. She lived her life generously serving her family and all who knew her. She always had a welcoming smile for anyone she encountered treating everyone she met as a friend. In her later years she continued to reach out to friends across the country with long phone calls. Local friends were fortunate to get together for lunches and celebrations including her 90th birthday party. A wonderful event that included two of her 1st grade classmates!

Viola is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 63 years, Duane; as well as her six children, Sharon (Doug) Schulz of Mahtomedi, Minn., Kathleen (John) Mau of Delafield, Wis., Marcia (John) Barnes of Cambridge, Wis., Ronald Rathert of Madison, Wis., Steven (Karolyn) Rathert of Cottage Grove, Wis., and Vernon (Melissa) Rathert of Madison, Wis.; nine grandchildren, Sarah Schulz, Matthew Schulz, John Mau (fiancée, Carley), Joseph (Kathleen) Mau, Lauren (Adam) Tovar, Nicholas Hoerstmann, Megan (fiancé, Max) Hoerstmann, Thomas Rathert and Benjamin Rathert; and one great-grandson, Liam Mau. She is further survived by her beloved brother and sister, Cyril (Barb) Statz and Henrietta (Bob) Statz; brothers-in-law, Richard (Kris) Rathert and Loren (Margaret) Rathert; sister-in-law, Marilyn (Donald) Johnson; as well as many dear nieces and nephews.

Viola was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Martha Statz; stepmother, Alma Birrenkott; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Arthur and Ellen Rathert; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bill and Bonnie Wiedel; and nephews, Richard Statz and Billy Wiedel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC CHURCH, 434 N. Main St., Cottage Grove, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 24, 2025, with Father Mark Foley presiding. A graveside service will follow at Highland Memory Gardens, 3054 County Highway BB, Cottage Grove. A visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., with a 4:30 p.m. rosary service, on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, and also at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Thursday.

The family would like to thank the wonderful caring staff at All Saints Memory Care in Madison Wis., Monsignor Gerard Healy, SSM Hospice, especially Deb, Yvonne and Sister Georgeann, and the many OTs and PTs from Fox Rehab who worked with Viola at home over the last four years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church, Cottage Grove, Wis. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Viola M. Rathert

March 26, 1929 - July 12, 2025

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