Pearl M. Rath

Sutton resident Pearl M. Rath, 100, died Sunday, September 1, 2013, at the Sutton Community Home in Sutton, NE., where she had been a resident for the last 7 years. Services will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 5, 2013, at the Federated Church in Sutton, NE with Rev. Harry Cross and Rev. Dr. Lee R. Wigert officiating. Interment will follow at the Sutton Cemetery in Sutton, NE. Visitation will be Wednesday, from 1 p.m. - 8 p.m., with the family present from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., at Sutton Memorial Chapel in Sutton, NE. In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to the Sutton Community Home. Pearl (Salmen) Rath was born April 10, 1913 to Frank and Pauline Salmen in rural Fillmore County northwest of Grafton. Pearl was the oldest of five children attending grade school near Grafton until the age of 11 when the family moved to Clay County. She graduated from Sutton High School, class of 1931. Pearl was baptized on July 9, 1933, and was a lifelong member of Salem United Methodist Church until its closing. She then transferred her membership to the Federated Church in Sutton. Pearl married Lester Rath at the home of her parents on June 9, 1935, and this union was blessed with one son, Barton Kent. Lester and Pearl enjoyed nearly 72 years of marriage together. They lived their life on the farm in the Sutton area for over 40 years, retiring in 1975 and moving to their new home in Sutton. Pearl loved to cook and was a very good cook. Whenever anyone visited in their home, she was always up early cooking up a storm. Lester did the farming, and she did the cooking, especially making desserts. They had dessert at most every meal. Even after moving to the nursing home, she wanted to get her visitors something to eat or drink. She was a very gracious hostess. She was a meticulous housekeeper and loved to go shopping for clothes in Geneva, Hastings or Grand Island. She always wanted to look "good". She was a very social person and loved the activities at the home and visiting with her friends, until her eyesight and health failed in the last months. Lester and Pearl liked to play cards with their friends, and traveled in their retirement years to several different states and on some bus trips to Canada, the East Coast, and the Northwest. They did everything together and loved having their son and family come for visits at the holiday season or during the summer. Her family was her pride and joy. Pearl belonged to a birthday club, the Matronettes Extension Club, and several Bible Studies. Pearl turned 100 in April of this year and she enjoyed the open house at the nursing home hosted by her son, family and Sutton Community Home. The staff at the home blew up 100 balloons and she enjoyed watching them being released outside. After cake and punch at the home, a dinner in her honor was held at the Sutton American Legion for close family members. Pearl was adored by her family and friends as witnessed by the number of people who attended the open house. Pearl is survived by her son, Barton and daughter-in-law, Carol, of Papillion, NE; grandsons, Sean and wife, Candi, of Ft. Worth, TX; Justin and wife, Kathy, of Keller, TX; three great-grandchildren, Spencer, Paige, and Ashley Rath of Texas; four step-grandchildren; 11 step-great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Eunice Kissel of Cozad, NE; and many nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. Pearl was preceded in death by her husband, Lester; sisters, Eileen Ochsner, Margie Pope ,and Wilma Vance, and brother, Robert Salmen.

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Pearl M. Rath

April 10, 1913 - September 1, 2013