Jane Marie Rath, age 74, of Miles City passed away on Saturday, April 24, 2021 in Billings.
Jane was born to Marie and Joe Hafla on January 19, 1947 in Miles City, Montana. She was the fifth of seven children. Jane spent her growing-up years on the farm/ranch at Cohagen, learning at an early age how to work. She attended elementary school at the Hafla School and graduated from Garfield County District High School in Jordan. Jane met the love of her life, Ray Rath while she was a senior in high school. Ray recalls how the first time he saw Jane he knew he had to get to know her and how shy Jane was. On June 5, 1965 they were married. They started their life together living in Fort Hood, Georgia where Ray was stationed in the Army. After Ray was discharged, they came back to Montana and worked on ranches for awhile before moving to Miles City where they bough some land and put down roots. A daughter Cherie Rae joined the family in 1970. Jane was a loving wife and devoted mother. A devout Catholic, rarely missing mass, she had complete faith in her Lord.
Jane could grow anything, and her vegetable and flower gardens were jungles. During the summer she was constantly giving away vegetables to anyone that would take them. She would deliver flowers during the summer and fall to nursing homes and elderly residents. Throughout the years Jane won many ribbons and prizes at the Eastern Montana Fair for her vegetables and flowers. Jane was always available to anyone that needed an extra hand. Family members and many others benefited from her generosity. She helped elderly folks cleaning, grocery shopping, taking them to doctor appointments or whatever that person needed done. For a time, she worked for Ken and Jan Alexander helping publish rural newspapers. When her daughter, Cherie, started a sheep project for 4-H Jane was her biggest fan and helper. She knew by heart the history of every ewe, ram and lamb. It gave her joy to match a 4-H market lamb with the right youth. During lambing season, you would find Jane in the lambing shed happily at her work. For years she was a member and secretary/treasurer of the Suffolk Association and was instrumental in getting the Ewe Grant Project started. She had unlimited energy and was not afraid to try anything. When her mother entered the nursing home, Jane very rarely missed a day checking on her and visiting her father at his home.
Jane was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, brother, sister and brother-in-law. She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Ray of Miles City, daughter Cherie (Joe) Rath-Williams of Bozeman, sister Irene (Jim) Wells of Great Falls, brother Donald Hafla of Great Falls, sister Linda (Kenny) Rich of Sand Springs, brother Tim (Cheri) Hafla of Columbus, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Monday, May 3, 2021 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City followed by a Rosary and Vigil service at 5:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Rite of Committal will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be sent to the charity of one’s choice.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Monday May 3, 2021
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Rosary & Vigil
5:00 PM
Monday May 3, 2021
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Mass
10:00 AM
Tuesday May 4, 2021
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
120 North Montana
Miles City, Montana 59301
Rite of Committal
After Funeral Mass
Tuesday May 4, 2021
Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Cemetery Road
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Monday May 3, 2021
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Rosary & Vigil
5:00 PM
Monday May 3, 2021
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Mass
10:00 AM
Tuesday May 4, 2021
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
120 North Montana
Miles City, Montana 59301
Rite of Committal
After Funeral Mass
Tuesday May 4, 2021
Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Cemetery Road
Miles City, Montana 59301
Share
Linda Estes says
Rath and Hafla families. So sorry to hear about Jane’s passing. May God be with you all in this hard time.
Shirley Rolf says
Sorry to hear of Jane’s passing. Your are in my thoughts.
Mike & Judy Toennis Family says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your families.
Cindy Ingraham says
Bruce and I are thinking of you all at this difficult time
Linda Hodgson says
So sorry of your loss. Prayers to you all.
Cheryl Smutt says
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you
Don and Linda Hall says
Sending thoughts and prayers.
Glen and Teena ollinger says
So sorry to hear of Jane’s passing. Remember some of the good times we had together. Our deepest sympathy to all the family. God Bless!
Glen and Teena Bollinger
Audrey and Greg says
RIP my Dear sweet friend. Hugs and prayers are with everyone. Love yous. Audrey and Greg
Marj Bolejack Anderson says
Ray, Cheri, and family of Jane
Sorry for your loss. Jane was a fixture of the valley growing up and will be remembered by many. She always had plenty of produce to share and enjoyed a good visit.
Phil and Darlene Shawver says
Sending Condolences and Prayers for Ray and His Family May you find comfort in all of your memories and in Gods Love.
Rachel Gundlach says
Sending you hugs and love during this difficult time!
Jim and Anita Scheeler says
So sorry to hear of your loss. She was an awesome person.Prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely, Jim and Anita Scheeler
Carol Rath Raschkow says
My condolences and prayers go out
To all of Jane’s family, May God
Comfort you during this difficult time.
Annette Frank says
Sorry to hear of Jane’s passing! My hugs and prayers to Ray and Cherie and the rest of the families. Jane was one of the sweetest, kindness persons I’ve known.
Karen Witt says
My Deepest Sympathy to all Jane’s family. She sold my son Kelly some very nice sheep and he won lots of prizes with them at the fair.
Jan and DJ cornutt says
Sad to here about our neighbor, it was alway good to see her with her fresh garden produce, love to visit with her and Ray,
Ginger & Joe Kiel says
Tim & Cheri – so sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Jason, Nyoka, Libby & Paige Twitchell says
sorry for your loss, such a beautiful lady, sending our sympathy and prayers to Ray and family
Kenneth Drane says
So sorry for your loss will keep you in our thoughts and prayers
Kevin A Donnelly says
Sorry to hear of your loss. May God be with you and your family
Rick and Dee Abbott says
Ray and Cherie and the rest of Jane’s family: We were deeply saddened to learn of Jane’s passing. We remember fondly our years shared with you folks in the Montana Suffolk Sheep Association. We pray that our Lord eases your grief with His comfort, peace and solace.
Cathy Byron says
Ray and all of Jane’s family-
Jane was such a sweet and gentle person in high school. My heart and prayers are with all of you at this time.
Gail Stevens says
Ray, Cherie and Family,
Our deepest sympathy in the loss of Jane, she was a great friend though the years and I have many great memories visiting on the phone and in Miles City talking about Suffolk sheep. She will be greatly missed.
Gail Stevens
Eleanor Hafla says
. Ray when I heard she was sick and in Billings I went to see her It just broke my heart I am so sorr. God Bless You and your Daughter
Debbie Weyer says
so sorry for your loss Ray. May God grant you comfort that she is in a better place and free of that awful disease. “DEATH leaves a heartache no one can heal, LOVE leaves a memory no one can steal”. author unknown.
Gloria & DJ milroy says
Dear Ray and Cherie, and all of the Hafla and Rath families…most sincere condolences to all. May you precious memories with Jane be a comfort to you. Holding you all close in my heart and prayers.
Jeanne Vetch says
I am so sorry for your loss. Keep her in your good memories forever. What a hardworking and talented woman.