Edgiththa Midlonette Rathbun
Edgiththa Midlonette Rathbun
A former high school teacher at Harrison and Sioux County superintendent has died in California.
Edgiththa Midlonette Grant was born the eldest of two children to William Henry and Lily Galloway Grant on May 24, 1892 at Owen, Mo. She died on January 2 at Sacramento, Calif. at 84. She married William Ray Rathbun on June 30, 1931.
Mrs. Rathbun was raised on a farm just west of St. Louis. At age 12, she was stricken with crippling Poliomyelitis. Due to the effects of paralysis she spent much time in hospitals, casts, and rehabilitation but she continued her education. She was graduated from Central Weslyan College in Warrenton, Mo. at the age of 23. She did post graduate work at the University of Colorado, the University of Utah and the University of California at Berkley. She taught English and drama as well as teacher education in the high schools at Hayes Center in Hayes County, and at Harrison, in Sioux County, Nebraska for 32 years. She also served as county superintendent of schools in both Hayes County and Sioux County.
Mrs. Rathbun spent her life working with young people as teacher, county superintendent, Sunday school teacher, counselor and friend.
She was preceded in death by her brother James Henry in 1933, her father, January 7, 1934, her mother, April 14, 1962, and her husband on January 7, 1963. She is survived by one daughter, Lucy Anne Berry, four grandchildren, three great-grandsons.
Memorial services were held at Andrews and Greilich Mortuary, Sacramento, California January 4. Rev. Arthur P. Brust, officiant. Services were also held at the United Methodist Church, Westville, Mo., January 6, Rev. Wayne C. Kidwell, officiant.
Interment was at Highland Prairie Cemetery, Ethlyn, Mo.