Frances Mary Gathje

Frances Mary Gathje, 95, of St. Charles died Saturday December 1, 2007 at Golden Living Center, Whitewater in St. Charles. Frances was born May 9, 1912 in Janesville, WI to John and Mary (Fineran) Wegman. She attended Teachers Normal Training in St. Charles and taught country schools near Chatfield. She and Ralph Gathje were married September 28, 1935 in St. Charles. They farmed at Pilot Mound and Chatfield before moving to St. Charles to farm in 1942. Her husband Ralph died November 24, 1983. She was an active member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and was involved in Rosary Society, Altar Guild and St. Rita's Unit. Frances loved to spend time with her grandchildren. She enjoyed reading history and traveling. Survivors include five children; David (Marlys) Gathje of Rochester, Ronald C. (Winnie) Gathje of Stewartville, Stephen (Rosie) Gathje of St. Charles, Ruth (Maurice) Shea of St. Charles and Martin (Darlene) Gathje of Owatonna, 30 grandchildren, 66 great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter and a sister Eleanor of San Gabriel, CA. Frances was preceded in death by her husband, a daughter Audrey, a brother Lawrence and a sister Anna. There will be a Funeral Mass at 11AM Wednesday at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church with the Reverend James Callahan officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church from 4-8 PM Tuesday and 10-11AM Wednesday. There will be a Rosary recited at 4PM Tuesday at the church. Please share a memory of Frances and view her on-line Tribute Video at www.hofffuneral.com. Memorials are preferred to the St. Charles Public Library and the St. Charles Borromeo Scholarship Fund. Hoff Funeral Home of St. Charles is assisting the family with arrangements.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/?id=13113