Valentine Edward "Val" Rathgeber

We regret to advise of the death of Valentine Edward "Val" Rathgeber of Melville SK peacefully on 26 July 2011.  
Val was born on the homestead quarter near Neudorf SK, the second oldest of seven children born to Joseph and Philippina. He went to Baber School until Grade 6 when, like other boys during the Great Depression, left to work on the family farm. He was a RCE veteran of the Second World War. He enlisted in 1942, and ater basic training, he completed sapper training at A6 CETC at Camp Chilliwack. He served in Prince George for a spell before being sent overseas to Holland.
Val stayed on as part of the Canadian Army Occupation Force in Holland and did not come home until March 1946, crossing the Atlantic on the S.S. Aquitania. 
Returning to Saskatchewan, Val continued farming farming with his parents and brother Willie. He re-established contact with his war buddies. 
Val is buried in the Christ Lutheran Church Cemetery in Neudorf.