NEW ULM

It is with tremendous sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Larry Rathmann, our beloved father, grandfather, and friend. Larry "Spuds" Joseph Rathmann was born on June 5, 1947, in New Ulm, Minnesota to Benjamin and Angela (Huhn) Rathmann and died on Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Shakopee.

He was raised in Gibbon, Minnesota, where he developed a love for sports at a young age. He was an athlete who excelled at basketball and baseball and was very focused on athletics during this time in his life. He often joked that, "he had no time for girls because there were basketball games to be played." Larry graduated from Gibbon high school in 1965 and joined the Air Force the following year where he proudly served as a reciprocating airplane engine mechanic attaining the rank of Sergeant. He met his future wife Linda at Lyle's Cafe in Winthrop in 1967 while on a leave from the Air Force. For the remainder of his time on active duty, he nurtured their relationship with numerous letters and phone calls while Linda waited and prayed for his safe return. Her prayers were answered when Larry returned to her in May 1969 after being honorably discharged from the Air Force. They were married a short time later on July 25, 1970 at St. Willibrord's Catholic Church in Gibbon and they would spend the next 54 years together.

After graduating from the Mankato Area Vocational School with a degree in accounting in 1971, he worked as a bookkeeper for the Farmers Co-op of Hanska. From 1974 through retirement, he worked for Midwest Commodity Merchants & Traders as an office manager and commodity broker. He loved his job. But more importantly, he loved the people. Through his employment he developed lifelong friendships with Bob Dittrich (53 years), Donny Kassaulke, Julie Wendinger and many others. He also enjoyed connecting with local farmers who would stop by the office to discuss the markets.

In 1974, Linda and Larry adopted their first son (Lonny) and in 1976 they adopted their second son (Landon). They lovingly raised their children in New Ulm, Minnesota. As their children grew up, Larry attended countless sporting events and spent many summers coaching their baseball teams with his good friend Sy Moelter. He was a proud father who was always there to support and encourage his children both on and off the field.

As his children graduated and ventured out on their own, he remained very involved in their lives. He enjoyed the hard work of helping them with landscaping and construction projects around their homes. But he also enjoyed the simple things like fishing, golfing, playing cards and going to Perkins for breakfast. As long as he was able to spend time with his family and friends, he was happy.

Unfortunately, the good times were interrupted when Larry was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer on October 13, 2011. The tumor was found in a very complicated location. It was 3 mm from his brain stem which meant that traditional surgery was not an option. Fortunately, his medical team at the Mayo Clinic developed a treatment plan that proved to be effective. Larry would have to endure six Rounds of Chemo, Cyber Knife surgery and 30 rounds of radiation.

His Initial prognosis was not good, and he knew it was going to be the most difficult challenge of his life. But Larry was a fighter, and he was determined to survive. The photos of his Grandchildren that he carried in his shirt pocket provided inspiration and served as daily reminders of why he had to keep fighting no matter how difficult things became.

And, it was, without a doubt, the fight of his life. At one point, his doctors told him that if he didn't gain a pound by his next appointment, he would need a feeding tube – something he absolutely did not want. But by the next appointment, he had gained a pound and was able to avoid the feeding tube. Although, years later he confessed to putting heavy washers in his socks for extra weight. Larry celebrated the small milestones along the way until he was finally able to ring the bell at the Mayo Clinic with his family standing proudly by his side, signifying the end of his treatment. There were still some challenges left to endure and there was the potential for serious side effects ten years or more in the future. But with the help of his family and his faith, he recovered. Larry spent the next 14 years focusing on the things that mattered to him most …. faith, family, friends and sports. He was a longtime member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in New Ulm, where his faith remained present throughout his life. Larry enjoyed vacationing in Florida with his beloved wife Linda. For many years, Larry and Linda travelled to Florida in February or March for a much-needed break from the long Minnesota winters. Larry was blessed with four wonderful grandchildren (Abby, Ryan & Mya Rathmann and Kirsten McDonald) whom he loved very much. His grandchildren are all athletes, and they kept him very busy attending countless sporting and other school events. But he loved every minute of it. He rarely missed a game unless there was more than one being played simultaneously. And even then, he would be making phone calls or checking the app on his phone to find out how the other grandchild was doing. In his later years, Larry developed a good friendship with Jared Haynes whose son is a teammate of Larry's grandchild Ryan. They shared a love of sports and enjoyed attending games together. Jared was always there to support and comfort Larry after the passing of his wife in 2024 and was instrumental in keeping his spirits up during that difficult time.

But after fourteen years, his health again took a turn and he was rushed to the New Ulm Medical Center on April 3, 2025 after experiencing unusual symptoms. From there, he was quickly transferred to Abbott Northwestern Hospital where his condition was confirmed to be pneumocephalus (air on the brain). It appeared that the side effects of the radiation treatments that he endured fourteen years ago had caught up with him. His medical team suggested that a forceful cough or sneeze may have broken through the bone structure that had slowly deteriorated from the radiation. His condition would ultimately require surgery.

Larry had a craniotomy on April 22, 2025, which was the eleventh month anniversary of Linda's passing. Despite having a successful surgery, that date was weighing heavily on him. He was missing his bride of over 50 years and wanted to be with her. For the next two weeks he had ups and downs but was never able to fully break through to the road to recovery. His overall health continued to deteriorate until May 7th when he was moved from Abbott Northwestern to St. Gertrude's Health and Rehab Center in Shakopee where he received hospice care. Larry spent four days at St. Gertrude's where he passed peacefully surrounded by family and friends.

Larry was a loving husband, a wonderful father, grandfather and friend and he will be remembered for his steady presence, his giving heart, and dedication to those he loved. We will all miss him dearly. May his memory continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Angela (Huhn) Rathmann; his wife, Linda Rathmann; and his sisters, Judy Rathmann, and Sharon Grochow.

He is survived by his sons, Lonny (Kirsten) Rathmann, Landon Rathmann and Michelle Rathmann; his grandchildren, Abigail Rathmann, Ryan Rathmann, Mya Rathmann, Kirsten McDonald; his sister, Rosemary Vait; and many other nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 12 pm on Friday, June 6, 2025, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in New Ulm. Monsignor Eugene Lozinski will celebrate the Mass, and ennichement will follow in the afternoon at 2 pm at the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery Columbarium.

Visitation will take place from 10-12 pm on Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church.

The Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes of New Ulm are assisting the family with arrangements.  To leave an online condolence, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org