Johannes Rudolph Nath, age 84, of Magnolia, Minnesota, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
A visitation was Monday, Sept. 25, from 4-7 p.m. at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne, Minnesota.
A funeral service was Tuesday, Sept. 26, at 10:30 a.m. at the church followed by a burial at St. Catherine Catholic Cemetery.
To view Johannes’ life history or sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.
Johannes Rudolph Nath was born on July 28, 1939, to Julius and Gertrude (Lohman) Nath in Ellsworth, Minnesota. He lived on the family farm and attended country school through the eighth grade. He then helped his father on their farm, and later other farmers, before moving to Chicago to work with his uncle cleaning apartments. He soon returned to Minnesota and lived in Worthington where he held construction and manufacturing jobs until he began working as a laborer at a Worthington meat packing plant.
During that time, and with the help of Mary’s brothers, he met and fell in love with their sister, Mary Reese. The couple were united in marriage on Aug. 27, 1966, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. The couple initially made their home in Worthington, but then purchased an acreage just outside of Kanaranzi, Minnesota. There they raised their family and started a farrow to feeder pig operation. Even with the move, Johannes continued to work at the packing plant, and after 37 years he retired.
After retiring, Johannes and Mary spent their time camping, attending their grandchildren’s activities, and traveling. They were able to travel to Germany where they visited family and later made several trips with a group from St. Catherine. Johannes was active and healthy until a diagnosis of cancer in December of 2021. After a courageous and hard-fought battle, Johannes went to be with his Lord and Savior at the age of 84 years, 1 month, and 26 days.
Johannes was an active member of the St. Catherine Church, served as a member of the Knights of Columbus, was an usher for church and funeral services, performed church maintenance as a volunteer and even assisted the church quilting club that met on a weekly basis. He even, on occasion, would help Mary with some of the quilt sewing projects. He enjoyed volunteering at the senior meal site. He helped with meal prep, serving meals and many complemented him on his skills in the “dish pit”. Johannes was gifted with the ability to make beautiful metal yard decorations. He enjoyed watching old westerns on TV, but his favorite television show was “Let’s Make A Deal”; which was generally followed be another favorite activity, napping.
The most important thing to Johannes was his family. He loved spending time with his kids and grandchildren. He worked hard to make it to all of their sporting events, music concerts and high school graduations. He was a very hard-working man and the taught his kids and grandchildren that “you don’t quit just because you don’t like it.”
Johannes is survived by his wife, Mary Nath, of Magnolia; children Julie (Roger) Wynia and their children Leah and Piper of Luverne, Todd (Colette) Nath and their children Zackery and Tenley Nath of Rock Rapids, Iowa, Kristi (Larry) McClure and their children Kodiak and McKenzee of Volga, South Dakota, and Dean Nath of Luverne; siblings Karl Nath, Norman (Lois) Nath, and Willy (Margarita) Nath.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Julius and Gertrude Nath, and brothers Ervin and Paul Nath.