Joyce Elizabeth Rath

Joyce E. Rath, age 79, of rural Savanna, Illinois, died Saturday, February 26, at home surrounded by her family. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 3, 2011, at Trinity Lutheran Church in rural Mt. Carroll, Illinois. Reverend Philip Bigelow will officiate. Burial will be in the Zion Cemetery in rural Savanna. A Visitation will be held from 5 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home in Mt. Carroll.
Joyce was born January 10, 1932, the daughter to Harold and Gladys (Tripp) Imel in Fairhaven Township, Chadwick, Illinois. She attended Park Hill and Emerson Schools. Joyce graduated from Chadwick High School in 1950; she was third in her Class out of eleven students.
Joyce married Frederick L. Rath on February 8, 1953. Fred died January 3, 2007. She was a homemaker and farmed with Fred in the Zion Community for over 57 years. Joyce was active in the church; she was President of the Ladies Aide. She was an Election Judge for Woodland Township for forty years. Joyce enjoyed quilting, crocheting, gardening, fancy sewing, and tatting. Most of all she enjoyed the time she spent with her family.
Joyce will be missed by her two daughters, Kathy (Wayne) Becker of Mt. Carroll, Kristine (Larry) Goss of Etna Green, Indiana; two sons, Keith (Dawn) Rath of Savanna, Kurt (Becky) Rath of Elizabeth, Illinois; ten grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; two brothers, Floyd (Wilma) Imel of Chadwick, Illinois, Kenneth (Rita) Imel of Polo, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Fred, her parents, and one brother in infancy.