Suzanne J. Rathke

Suzanne J. Rathke, age 82, of Menomonie, WI, died Thursday, August 13, 2026, surrounded by family after enduring a difficult cancer journey.

Suzanne was born August 28, 1943, in Eau Claire, WI, to Miles and Ellen (Taylor) Helstrom. She grew up in Eau Claire and graduated from Memorial High School in 1961.

Suzanne married Steven Rathke in 1962 and had two children, Robert and Sheila. They later divorced.

Throughout her career, she worked at Eau Claire Coop Oil as a bookkeeper; The Ryte Type and Mahgette Printing as a typesetter and proofreader; and Walmart in Menomonie. She also loved volunteering at Stepping Stones Food Pantry in Menomonie and was loved by many for her kindness and good humor.

Suzanne loved spending time tending to her many beautiful flower gardens. She and Fred were members of the Red Cedar Antique Auto Club, and they attended many car shows with their 1955 Chevy and Model T. She loved knitting, word puzzles, as well as watching her favorite sports teams: the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, and college basketball.

The casino was one of her favorite places to go, and she even traveled to Las Vegas a few times. She also took a couple of road trips out west to the mountains—she loved the mountains! She loved listening to classic rock, and Ozzy Osbourne was a favorite of hers.

Suzanne is survived by her partner in life, Fredrick Shiffer; son, Robert (Jody) Rathke; daughter, Sheila Rathke (Randy Chevatal); grandchildren, Brandon Rathke, Ashley (Rob) Quetschke, Brady (Melanie) Rathke, and Shannon Radle (George Cadotte); great-grandchildren, Henry, Leo, Benjamine, Miles, and the newest addition, Aspen Belle, whom she called her little angel and said “My reason for living”. She is further survived by her sister, Mary Lee Evans; sister-in-law, Leone (Onie) Helstrom; nieces and nephews; many past and present friends and relatives; and her baby cat, Nellie.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Johnny Helstrom and Keith Helstrom; and sister, Jeanine Delany.

A visitation will be held from 2:00–4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026, at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie, WI.

To share a memory, please visit the obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com.