HIAWATHA:   JoAnn Catherine (Bascom) Rathje, 69, died at her residence, 185 Alwine Court in Hiawatha on Saturday, May 10, 2008 following a brief illness.
     Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids with Rev. Joseph Polzin officiating.  Interment will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.  Public Visitation will also be held at Bethany Lutheran Church from 4 to 8 PM on Tuesday,    
     JoAnn was born April 3, 1939 at Garrison, Iowa to Donald and Kathryn (Halway) Bascom and graduated from the Newhall High School with the class of 1957.  She then attended the University Of Iowa.
     On August 9, 1959 she married Lee Rathje at St. John Lutheran Church in Newhall and the couple lived and farmed the family farm between Newhall and Atkins.  In 1964 they moved to Cedar Rapids where "Jo" was employed with St. Luke's and Mercy Medical Records.  In the spring of 1967 she began working for Dr. Bemus and retired thirty-three years later.  In 1976 Lee and "Jo" purchased a boathouse at Ellis Boat Harbor.  They met many wonderful friends at the harbor and it had continued to be a common place for cherished memories with family and friends and good boating.  
     "Jo" was an active member of Bethany Lutheran Church and enjoyed cross-stitching, collecting P. Buckley Moss items, traveling with friends, Hawkeye sports, boating on the Cedar River and just being everybody's "Mom". 
     The greatest joy in her life was her grandchildren who she loved so dearly.  She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.  She especially loved her four legged friends, Miss Tasha and Taz.
     She is survived by her husband, Lee of Hiawatha, her children, Ricky Lee (Rebel) Rathje of Marion, Randy Lee (Kimberly) Rathje of Sun Prairie, WI, and Renee Jo (Dan) Rathje Ellsworth of Cedar Rapids; her grandchildren, Angelica Renee Rathje and special friend, Denny Vorba, Chelsea Rose Rathje, Tanner Lee Rathje, Ross James Ellsworth, and Carlee Jo Ellsworth; her mother, Kathryn Bascom; her sisters, Donna and Karla Bascom, all of Newhall; and her brother, Jim (Janie) Bascom and their children, Bradley James (Rachel) Bascom and Jamie Bascom; and many other special in-laws, and their children.
     She was preceded in death by her father, Donald in 1992 and two brothers-in-law, Glen Rathje and Jack Merritt.
     In Lieu of flowers, memorial may be given to St. Luke's Hospice or Bethany Lutheran Sanctuary Window Renovation.  Phillips Funeral Home in Keystone is in charge of arrangements.