It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Cletus James Rath, who departed peacefully on August 8, 2025 at the age of 88. He lived a life filled with what was important to him, Family, Farm, Faith and Friends, touching the hearts of all who knew him with his wonderful smile, quick wit and appreciation for life. A visitation will be held Thursday, August 14, 2025 from 4:00-7:00 pm at Nasinec Funeral Home in Wells, MN and will resume one hour prior (10:00-11:00am) to the mass. The Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, August 15, 2025 at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Easton, MN. The mass will be officiated by Father Pratap Reddy Salibindla and burial will be at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery outside of Easton.

Born April 2, 1937, approximately 12:30am (he told his Mother that he didn’t want to be an April Fool’s baby, so he held on with all of his might to fulfill his goal) at the home place of Rath Acres to Marcelleen “Marcy” Rath (Stencel) and Ralph Rath. Cletus was the oldest of 5 children from this union, Carol B. Rath, Allan “Al” (Ann) Rath, Nicole “Nicki” (Howard) Haugh and David “Dave” (Kay) Rath. He had a bonus family of 2 brothers and 2 sisters, Mary Majeski, James Rath, Gertrude (Jim) Desjardin and Ralph Jr. (Pat) Rath, from Ralph’s first marriage who he loved so very much throughout the years. From an early age, Cletus was drawn to the farm and making this his livelihood.

Cletus’s journey through life was marked by several significant milestones. He attended Wells-Easton High School, graduating class of 1955 where he first met the love of his life, Eleanor. He said when he first saw Eleanor, he knew this was the woman he was going to marry. She, however, did not share the same sentiment at first. After high school, Cletus attended St. Mary’s University in Winona, MN. His first roommate was not the right fit for Cletus however his best friend in college, Bud Ruppert Jr. didn’t care for his roommate either. One night, Bud and Cletus moved Cletus’s roommate out and moved Bud’s stuff in. Their friendship was so strong, they hitchhiked from Winona to Easton (during one stretch they rode in a hearse with a body!!). They remained friends throughout both of their lives. Cletus began to write Eleanor while he was at St. Mary’s and asked if he could drive her to Mankato where she attended college. She agreed and they began their beautiful relationship together, even though in the beginning the only way Cletus could get the car was if he brought his younger brother, Allan, with.

At the end of his freshman year, he went home and told his father that he wanted to farm. Ralph put him to work by going to Marcy’s brother’s (Uncle Buster) farm in New Richland, MN and helped with cleaning up the rocks in all of the fields. There are stories that Buster carried dynamite with nitroglycerin in his glove box of his car. This was used to break up the large rocks in the field. Surprisingly, no one got seriously hurt! From there Cletus grew as a farmer, milking cows with his brother Allan, raising hogs and crop farming (mainly corn and soybeans). His commitment to protecting the soil, trees, nature, wildlife and people was strong with Cletus. When his father was mostly blind, Cletus marked out a field so that his father could see the dark lines for when to make his turnarounds and dig next to. Ralph needed this type of medicine to feel needed on the farm.

Family was paramount to Cletus. He officially proposed to Eleanor “Dolly” Rath (Stenzel) in November 1957 and they married on June 11, 1958 at St. Casimir’s Catholic Church in Wells, MN. Together, they built a life filled with highs and lows but always had a deep love for each other. Cletus and Eleanor raised 7 wonderful children whom they loved/love very much. Their children helped on the farm, and each had different contributions to Cletus and Eleanor as they progressed in life. Cletus was always very proud of his family and loved to get together and spend time sharing stories and laughing. Many wonderful memories from Christmases/birthdays to going annually up to Rush Lake Resort/Woodland Beach Resort filled all of their lives with love and happiness.

On December 31, 2023, Cletus officially retired from farming after 66 years. He then became the “gopher” running lunches to Brian and Jon in the field and assisting with bringing the boys to spots they needed to get to. He also provided “free” consulting to Brian, even when Brian didn’t ask for it!!

Cletus was a person of many passions but took extreme pride in being on the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Board and Parish Trustee. For 40+ years he committed his time to looking out for the church as God has provided so much for him. He found immense joy in being part of the tenor section for the church choir and socializing with friends at various events, typically involving farming. He was involved in NFO (National Farmers Organization) and meeting with farmers. He gave his son, Jon, advice on sales: “Try and meet with the person at their kitchen table and if they offer you something to drink or eat, take it, to build a relationship and help with the sale.” Making people feel comfortable was just in his nature and he showed it by always waving to everyone, whether he was in the driver’s seat, passenger seat, outside or inside!

Cletus is survived by his wife and best friend Eleanor Rath (Stenzel) whom he loved and cared for very much. His children: Jeffrey “Jeff” (Susan “Sue”) Rath, Joan (Michael) Otte, Barbara “Barb” Timlin, Christine “Chris” (Ray) Bonebrake, Colin (Laurie) Rath, Brian (Melissa “Missy”) Rath and Jonathan “Jon” (Stefanie) Rath; His grandchildren: Leah Rath, Naomi Rath (Ryan Melichar), Joseph “Joe” Rath, James “Jimmy” Rath, Stephen “Steve” Rath, Joshua “Josh” (Robin) Otte, Jacob “Jake” (Jen) Otte, Zachary “Zach” Timlin, Carter Timlin, Benjamin “Ben” (Karin) Scruggs, Christopher “Chip” Scruggs, Cameron “Cam” Bonebrake, Cody (Kylie) Hundorf, Coltin Rath, Emily Rath, Justin Rath, Ellie Rath, Aidan Rath and Austin Rath; His great-grandchildren: Karlan Scruggs, Kiliahna Scruggs, Farrah Otte, Essa Otte, Martin Otte and Brielle Hundorf; sister- in- law Leona Simmons; and brother-in-law Roger  Stenzel.

He was predeceased by his parents, Ralph and Marcy Rath, sister, Carol B. Rath, half-sister, Mary Majeski, half-sister Gertrude Desjardin, half-brother James Rath (passed when 5 years old), half-brother Ralph Rath Jr., granddaughter Rebecca Rath; father-in-law: Joseph “Joe” Stenzel; mother-in-law Clara Madzo; step-father-in-law Joe Madzo; brother-in-law Richard “Dick” Simmons and sister-in-law Sylvia Stenzel.

Cletus will be missed by many but not forgotten…