Inger Sofie Rathbun

Inger Sofie Rathbun, age 93, a resident of Portland, passed away on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at her daughter’s home in Ankeny, Iowa. 

            Inger was born on June 28, 1927, in Drammen, Norway the daughter of Petter and Olga Ragnhilde Torgersen Pedersen.  She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Portland.  Inger married Carl Rathbun on October 8, 1945 and he passed away on January 12, 1997. 

            Survivors include:

            2 daughters:  Ingrid Saxman (husband Vernon) – Indianapolis, Indiana

                                  Nancy Kertz (husband James) – Ankeny, Iowa

             9 grandchildren (Angie, Ivy, Ingrid, Abbey, Leslie, Matt, Andrew, Evan and Briann)

            11 great-grandchildren

            She is also survived by her niece, Ruth Zicht and nephews Paul and Roy Rathbun and their families. 

            As a teenager, Inger was a brave member of the Norwegian Resistance and a WWII war bride.  She was an avid poker player, a voracious reader and a CNN “news junkie”.  She baked the best tea rings, apple pie and chocolate cake.  “Bestemom” was known for “making” her grandchildren eat French toast.

            Visitation will be held on Monday from 12 – 1 p.m. at Williamson-Spencer and Penrod Funeral Home in Portland.  Services to celebrate Inger’s life will follow at 1 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home.  Pastor Bruce Phillips will officiate the service and burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Redkey. 

            Online condolences may be sent to www.williamsonspencer.com. Live-streaming of the funeral will be available on the Williamson-Spencer and Penrod Funeral Home Facebook page. 

            Memorials may be directed towards Riley Children’s Hosptial. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.