Charles E. Rather, 91, of Jefferson, died Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at his home. He was the son of Phillip and Beatrice Breese Rather, and was born September 29, 1921 at Yale, Oklahoma. He received his education at Carlisle, CO, and Houston, MO. In 1942, he joined the United States Coast Guard. On December 14, 1945, he married Doris Darlene Lane at Ketchikan, Alaska. Following completion of his service, he worked as a butcher in Alaska. In 1946, Charles and Doris moved to Jefferson where he worked as a carpenter with Pat Cudahy Construction. For 40 years, Charles pursued a career with the United States Postal Service as a city carrier and as a rural carrier. He retired in 1989 and continued to reside in Jefferson.

He is survived by his wife, Doris; daughter, Cynthia Rather Sielaff of Rathdrum, Idaho; grandchildren, Jeffery Courtney of Florida, Jacklyn and Joshua Greenlee of Arizona; Dorian and Steve Komberec of Idaho, Zachary and Adrianna Sielaff of Iowa; great-grandchildren, Rowan and Jeremiah Komberec; brother, Fred Rather of Boone; sister, Marileen Wright of Churdan; several beloved nieces and nephews.

Charles was preceded in death by daughters, Janice DeLane Rather in 1946; Susanne Kay Rather Gastelum in 2009; his parents; brothers, Phillip and Richard Rather; sisters, JaDean Rather Bilsland, LaVonne Rather McIntire, two sisters in infancy; sister-in-law, Helen Rather and brother-in-law, Earl Wright.

Charles was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Jefferson Lions Clubs, Elks Lodge # 2306 and American Legion Post # 0011.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Julie Paulsen officiating. Burial will be at a later date. Military rites will be conducted by American Legion Post # 0011 of Jefferson. Visitation will be at the church, two hours before the Celebration of Life on Monday.

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Information provided by:

Foster Funeral Home

800 Wilson Ave.
Webster City, IA 50595
515-832-2110

www.fosterfuneralandcremation.com