Marguerite Edna Rath Prior, 104, died on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at Azria Health Rose Vista Nursing Home in Woodbine. She was born on Dec. 12, 1919, to Fred W. “Bill” and Agnes (Tamisiea) Bolliger on a farm southeast of Missouri Valley. She graduated from Missouri Valley High School in 1937. Marguerite taught country school for several years and then went to town and worked for the Northwestern Bell Telephone Company as a business office representative for 12 years. In 1943, she was united in marriage to Eugene J. Rath and they were blessed with three sons, Eugene II, Barry and Troy. The couple started the Rath Inn Motel in 1953, at which time Marguerite retired from the telephone company to work at the motel. Gene passed away from cancer in 1975. In 1985, she was united in marriage to Ted Prior from Sun City, Ariz. They spent their winters in Arizona and summers in Iowa. Ted passed away in 2002.
Marguerite was a long-time member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church, Canasta Club, Rand Center Pitch Club, Cousins Pitch Club and the Country Club Pitch Club. Along with playing cards, she enjoyed reading, sewing, making ceramics, dancing and traveling. Marguerite was able to travel to all 50 states, twice to many of them, many times to Canada, Cuba, Mexico, twice to Europe and went on several cruises.
Marguerite was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; son, Barry Rath; siblings, Loretta Beck and Jack Bolliger; and dear friend, William “Starchy” Martens. She is survived by her sons, Eugene Rath and his wife Marge of Missouri Valley and Troy Rath of Pisgah; daughter-in-law, Jo Rath of Harlan; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; brother, Duane Bolliger and his wife Helen of Kansas City, Mo.; and many other relatives and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Missouri Valley. Rev. James Kirby presided over the service. The pallbearers were Ely Rath, Kol Rath, Gene Rath, Cale Rath, Todd Argotsinger and Ray Wheat. Marguerite’s final resting place is at the Mount Carmel Cemetery.
Fouts Funeral Home in Woodbine was in charge of arrangements. www.foutsfuneralhome.com
