A Celebration of Life for Ellen Rathjen, age 84, of Enid, will be 2:00 pm, Friday, April 29, 2016 at Redeemer Lutheran Church with Reverend Tom House officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.

Ellen was born March 24, 1932 in Anthony, Kansas to Vance Bowers and Ruth (McHarg) Bowers. She passed away Tuesday, April 26, 2016 in Enid.

Ellen graduated from Wakita High School in 1950 then furthered her education at Enid Business College. She married Elwood Rathjen January 17, 1953 in Wakita. Elwood was in the Air Force, so they traveled wherever his career took them. They lived in Texas, Maryland, and Kansas to name a few. Following Elwood’s retirement in 1974, Ellen continued to travel extensively across the United States and Europe. She loved bus trips and cruises.

Ellen enjoyed genealogy and participated in Garfield County Genealogists as well as NARFE, National Association of Retired Federal Employees. She was a long time member of Redeemer Lutheran Church and participated in Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and Seasoned Saints.


Ellen is preceded in death by her parents; husband Elwood Lee Rathjen; and her beloved friend Edward Sutter.

She is survived by a sister, Colleen Stevenson of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin; two sisters-in-law, Betty Rathjen, of Enid; Elna Mae Schupbach and husband Milferd, of Burlington, OK; as well as her nieces and nephews whom she loved very much. Ellen will be missed by her beloved dog Honey.

Memorials may be made in Ellen’s name to Redeemer Lutheran Church with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.

Condolences may be made and services viewed online at www.ladusauevans.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ellen Marie Rathjen (Bowers), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.