Gordon "Gordy" Vernon Rathe, 83, of Duluth, passed away Saturday, December 21, 2024, at the Benedictine Health Center. He was born in Duluth on March 14, 1941, to Vernon and Martha Rathe.

Gordy graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1959 and entered the Airforce in August of 1960. After serving 4 years, he worked for Western Electric and then Chromaline, which is now Ikonics, where he retired at age 70. He married Joyce in 1971 and they raised a family who will forever know the importance of December 7th and June 6th.

Besides his love of airplanes, WWII history, gunshoots, Elvis, Nascar, music, and fishing, he loved his time spent at the cabin and on family camping trips. He enjoyed working on projects and having fun. Despite his solitary nature, he could be the life of a party. He had many nicknames "Moose", "The Mouth", "Pickleface", and his sense of humor was a key attribute of his personality. His love of ketchup, sardines, pickles, and popcorn is legendary. He loved getting his chocolate and pretzels from PA and sipping on his gin and tonics over Memorial Day Weekend. He was a great friend to so many and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He was deeply loved by his family and friends.

Gordy was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Joyce.

He will be greatly missed by his daughter, Jody Roberts (Jamie); son, John Rathe; grandkids, Grace, Christopher, Jaidy, Jake, AND Darian, Talia, Brody, Joe and Abri; sisters, Sam and Janet (Maynard); his "Nee-Phew", Daryl; his nieces and nephews, Tara, Dawn, Todd, Lynelle and Ryan along with so many more; and his special friends, Nicole and Stella.

With his smile and his shoo you away wave, he'd say, "go on now, get outta here."

Memorial Service to be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 11th with reception to follow.