Annie Rathjen

A Memorial Funeral Service for Annie Rosie (Brinkman) Rathjen, 89, of Caldwell will be held at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Frenstat with Deacon John Young, on Monday August 1, 2022.  Visitation will begin at 10am, the reciting of the Holy Rosary will follow at 10:40am, and service begins at 11am.

Annie passed away July 25, 2022. She was born on June 19, 1933, to Henry August Brinkman and Milady Judy (Popek) Brinkman in the Birch Community of Burleson County, Texas. Mrs. Rathjen lived in Burleson County all her life. She was a homemaker and a member of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church and the Altar Society member.  She attended school in Birch as long as she could.  Annie met the love of life, Alphine C. Rathjen, who was then drafted in the army. She waited two years and upon his release they were married April 11, 1953. Mrs. Rathjen was a quilt maker and made quilts for all grandchildren and great grandchildren with love in every stitch and probably a prayer or two. She prayed the Rosary daily and a rosary could be found in every room of her house.

Annie was preceded in death by her parents; husband A.C. Rathjen, son-in-law William Sowders, grandson Jordan Rathjen, great grandson Tobias Calhoun; brothers Aldie Brinkman and Stanley Brinkman; Sisters Evelyn Kosh and husband Freddie; Henrietta Kazmir-Hein and husband Raymond; Georgia Shaver and husband Clyde and her brother-in-law Otis Klagman.

She is survived by daughter Virginia Ann Sowders, sons Darrell Joseph Rathjen and wife Nola; Darwon Lewis Rathjen and wife Connie and Glen Rathjen; her sister Joan Klagman; brother Henry Brinkman and wife Billie; and sister-in-law Bernice Brinkman. She also has 14 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren with 2 more on the way, and a great-great-grandchild coming in the fall.

Pall bearers include her grandsons Billy Sowders, Alan Rathjen, Trevor Rathjen, Austin Rathjen, Derek Cotton, Garrett Rathjen, Preston Sprouse, Ryan Broaddus, and Payton Sprouse.

Any memorials may go to: Holy Rosary Altar Society