Graveside Committal of Phil's ashes will take place on Saturday, September 20, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at the Essex Cemetery with Lorene Glant officiating. Everyone is invited to attend.

Phillip Duane Rattenborg, son of Johannes and Mable Carrie (Johnson) Rattenborg, was born on October 2, 1932 in Elkhorn, Iowa. He passed away June 14, 2008 in Red Oak, Iowa at the age of 75 with his family at his side.

Having been born in Elkhorn, Phil attended elementary school there and then Junior High at Zion Lutheran School in Denison, Iowa. Phil graduated from Denison High School with the Class of 1950. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith in Elkhorn then confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison, Iowa.

Phil served in the Army from 1950 through 1953 during the Korean conflict. He was stationed in Tokyo, Japan. On June 3, 1955, Phil was united in marriage with Shirley Clare Davis at the Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. They resided in Denison for six years after their marriage. The couple briefly moved to Omaha, Nebraska before coming to Shenandoah, Iowa and then Essex, Iowa.

Phil worked for his father in Denison at the family feed store and then trained in Omaha in 1961 for the new field of data processing. He took a job with Earl May Seed and Nursery Company in Shenandoah and remained with the company 21 years before he changed careers, starting the Rattenborg Insurance Agency in Essex.

He was a member of the Lion's Club in Shenandoah, serving as president for one term. Phil was the first male PTO President in the Essex Community School. He was also the Sunday School Superintendent and served on the Church Council at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Shenandoah. He was a member of the American Legion Post #333 in Essex and served as treasurer for 20 years as well as the Essex Commercial Club where he served as treasurer for 25 years. Phil was also on the Southview Board of Directors serving as Chairman and the Essex Child Center Board of Directors.

Phil liked to travel and was an avid fisherman in his early years. He loved to attend his children's and then grandchildren's activities. You could always find Phil at the gym or ball field. He loved playing cards with family and friends. He also liked doing crossword puzzles.

Preceding him in death were his parents and one brother, Richard, in 1934. Phillip is survived by his wife of 53 years, Shirley; two daughters Christy Walker and husband Brian of Essex, IA and Becky Athy and husband Barry of Cedar Rapids, IA; grandchildren, Laura Thornburg and husband Jeff of Essex, IA, Alicia Thornburg and husband Matthew of Hastings, IA, Sarah Ripperger and husband Jeremy of Des Moines, IA, Brandon and Phillip "Cubby" Athy of Cedar Rapids, IA; great grandchildren, Colton, Quentin, Zachary and Jenna; sister, Judy Millard and husband Duke of Dumas, TX; many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 18, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Essex. Words of comfort were given by Pastor Jerry Lamb. Special music sung by Stan Orton was "Just A Closer Walk With Thee", "The Lord's Prayer" and "On Eagles Wings". The congregation sung "Faith Of Our Fathers", "Because He Lives" and "Beautiful Savior". Organist was Judy Lundgren. Attending the memory register were Fred and Becky Streitenberger. Caring for the flowers were Vivian Walker and Elaine Lindburg. Ushers were Russ Hilker and Larry Glasgo. Escorting the casket were Butch and Dennis Huebner. Honorary casket bearers were Fred Streitenberger, Max Carlson, George Ross, Gary Johnson, Kenny Sheridan and Myron Ross. Casket bearers were Brandon Athy, Phillip "Cubby" Athy, Matthew Thornburg, Jeff Thornburg, Jeremy Ripperger, Brian Walker and Barry Athy. Military rites were accorded by the Weatherall-Hadden-Holmes American Post #333 of Essex. Cremation took place following the services. Memorials in Phil's name are being directed to the American Legion Post #333 Boys State Scholarship Fund or to the Essex Fire & Rescue. The Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.