This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Rath, Barry, Byers, Otterberg, Fellows Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/0k.2ADE/2156 Message Board Post: Alvin H. Rath, 89 June 16, 2004 Alvin H. Rath, 89, Logan, died May 27 at Longview Home, Missouri Valley. Alvin Herman Rath was born Aug. 1, 1914 in Harlan to Joseph and Frances (Barry) Rath. One of his favorite stories about his early life was that at age three he was almost kidnapped by a band of Gypsies, but his mother ran after them and rescued him. He said they chose him because he had pure white hair at that time. Alvin began his love of animals (especially dogs) and farming at a very early age because his father was caring for Alvin's ill mother much of the time. He was cultivating corn using a team of horses when he was seven and was threshing and hauling bundles by the time he was 12. Because he was required to stay home in the fall of each year for six weeks to help pick corn, he repeated the 8th Grade and graduated from Beebeetown High School at the age of 21. Alvin mentioned that he studied by kerosene lamp each night and was always very tired because of all the farm chores. Alvin met Claramae Byers at a weenie roast south of Beebeetown in May of 1934. It was love at first sight. For their dates, Alvin would go to Omaha on Saturday afternoon so they could attend Mass the next morning at Holy Name Catholic Church. He bought a 1929 Ford Model A (complete with rumble seat) for $200 from Beebee Auto Sales in Logan in 1935. Alvin eventually proposed to Claramae while in a green Model A and at Christmas of 1935, they became engaged. They were married Aug. 3, 1937 at Holy Name. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Richard, Helen and Catherine. Alvin and Claramae started their farming career north of Beebeetown and later moved to Logan where they farmed until 2000. Following retirement from farming, they moved to the Longview Assisted Living complex in Missouri Valley. Alvin was active in St. Anne's Catholic Church, Logan. He built and helped manage the 4th of July food stand in the Logan Park, and helped excavate the church basement. He was a church trustee for many years and served as an usher. Alvin was preceded in death by his parents, wife Claramae, daughter Helen Otterberg and a brother Eugene. He is survived by his children, Richard Rath and his wife, Joyce, Sumner; Catherine Fellows and her husband, Randy, Omaha; son-in-law Greg Otterberg, Omaha; brother Leonard Rath, Beebeetown; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A Rosary was held May 31 at Hennessey-Aman Funeral Home, Missouri Valley, and a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Missouri Valley, June 1, Rev. Fr. Bob Harris, celebrant. Server was Ryan Fellows. Organist was Mary Ellen Jones, vocalist was Gurina Wolford. Honorary bearer was April Otterberg. Casket bearers were Brian Rath, Jeff Otterberg, Adam Fellows, Marc Rath, Jeff Myer and Joe Esser. Interment was in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Missouri Valley. Respectfully submitted for other researchers ©MISSOURI VALLEY TIMES - NEWS 2004