Margaret Ann Rathert, 85, of Nortonville, KS, passed away Friday, June 27, 2014, at the Village Villa Nursing Home in Nortonville.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM, Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at the Nortonville Christian Church.  Burial will follow in the Nortonville Cemetery.  Family will receive friends for one hour prior to the funeral at the church.   Friends may call at the O’Trimble Funeral Home in Nortonville on Monday, June 30, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Jefferson County Hospice or the Nortonville Christian Church.  Words of remembrance and comfort may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.

Margaret Ann Moyer was born May 11, 1929 in Nortonville, KS, the daughter of Bert and Anna (Leighton) Moyer.  She graduated from Nortonville High School.   Margaret and Carl Rathert were married on April 3, 1949 in Nortonville.  Together they started Rathert Construction in 1950.  After Carl’s death on March 4, 1975, Margaret continued to operate Rathert Construction, working as a Soil Conservation Contractor.  

Margaret was a member of the Nortonville Christian Church, Land Improvement Contractors of America, Kansas Land Improvement Contractors with which she received the Contractor of Year Award in 1987, Nortonville American Legion Post #242, Oskaloosa VFW Auxiliary, Progressive Club of Nortonville, Oskaloosa Eagles Club Auxiliary, and the East Central Kansas Model T Club.  Margaret had also served on the Board of Directors and was a Past President of the Jefferson County Memorial Hospital in Winchester, KS, and on the Board of Directors of Community Homes in Nortonville.  

Margaret loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.   She also enjoyed reading and watching birds and wildlife that would visit her yard.   
Margaret is survived by her sons, Edward Rathert and William (Nelda) Rathert, both of Nortonville; three grandchildren, Adam (Leslie) Rathert, Derek (Jamie) Rathert, and Cynthia (Tim) Jenkins; five great grandchildren.  
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Carl, and a brother, Robert Moyer.