Richard Rathbun

Richard "Sam" L. Rathbun, 87, passed away Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Fort Dodge Health and Rehab.

Funeral services will be 4:30 p.m. Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Laufersweiler Funeral Home. A visitation will be 2:30 p.m. until the time of the service.

Richard is survived by his daughter Deb (Gary) Fox of Otho, grandchildren April (Shane) Essam, Abby (Ross) Hansen, Alex (Betsy) Bloomquist, Lukas (Baileigh) Ashbrook, Landon Ashbrook, Nick (Pam) Fox, great-grandchildren Logan, Rylie Kreft, Tayven Essam, Daymek, Kollins, Kamdyn Ashbrook, Micah, and Leo Fox, siblings Ray Rathbun and Karen Huhn, several nieces and nephews, and friend Kay Reed.

He was preceded in death by his parents Homer and Mabel (Krie) Rathbun, wife Marilyn in 1985, son Rodney 1990, daughter Kim Bloomquist in 2020, and sister Jean Nitch.

Richard L. Rathbun was born December 29, 1938, in Fonda. He was raised in Fonda and graduated from Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in 1957. In 1958, Richard married Marilyn Cook and the couple made their home in Otho in 1964. For 20 years, Richard worked for TRW, then owned and operated the Otho Pub for six years. He worked as a security guard for 14 years at Friendship Haven before retiring. Richard loved to fish, camp, and golf. He was an avid Iowa State Cyclone and Green Bay Packers Fan. Go State!

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.