Daniel Rathje

Daniel E. Rathje, age 62, or Marshall, MN, died unexpectedly on Thursday, January 16, 2025. Dan was born on September 4, 1962, in Marshall, to Curtis and LaDonna (Holm) Rathje. He graduated from Balaton High School and furthered his education by attaining a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota. When he moved to California, he received his Master’s degree from the San Francisco School of Fine Arts. He spent his career working for Smith Micro in California, specializing in graphic design. It was also in California, that he met Jacob Boenher, the man who would become his husband on September 22, 2023, in Big Sur. Their wedded life together was short-lived, however, when tragedy touched Dan’s life, with Jacob’s unexpected death in 2024.

Daniel moved back to Minnesota in 2003 to care for his aging father and then, as her needs arose, his mother. Philosophy and keeping current with computer technology remained lifelong interests for Dan. Likewise his pursuit of education, which saw him currently enrolled in a PhD program at Oxford University in London, England.

Dan is survived by his mother, LaDonna Rathje currently of Minneapolis, formerly of Marshall; brother, Timothy (Valerie) Rathje of Columbus, NE; nephew, Brendon Rathje (fiancé, Aliezah Rodriguez); niece, Hailey Rathje (Thomas Kretz); many cousins. He is preceded in death by his husband, Jacob; father, Curtis.

Private family services will be held at a later date.