Linda Belle Rath, of East Tawas, passed away peacefully at her home under the loving care of her family and hospice on Saturday, June 27, 2026, age 89 years.
She was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Fredrick and Ruth (Klooster) DeYoung. She graduated from Creston High School in 1955. After school, Linda worked at Michigan Bell, where she met her future husband, Fred Rath. Later they moved to Tawas in 1965, where they loved for over 57 years. After her husband passed in 2022, she moved to East Tawas, as she always wanted to live “in town”.
During her professional career, Linda worked primarily as a bookkeeper with National Gypsum Company for many years and also for Windjammer Gifts until she finally retired. Linda also worked as secretary for the Zion Lutheran Church. She enjoyed always being active and keeping herself on the go. Whether it was golfing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, reading, or doing puzzle books, Linda was always doing something!
For many years, Linda was on the Thursday morning women’s golf league at Tawas Creek. Each year she looked forward to her family’s annual golf outing where everyone had so much fun! Linda was always very involved with her children’s activities. Whether it was attending horse shows or watching 4-wheel races, you name it and she was there! She was a member of both the Hale Country Quilter’s Guild and the Oscoda Quirky Quilter’s Quilt Guild. For many years, Linda and her daughter would travel to quilt shows in different states and went on a quilt cruise together.
Linda was a long time devout member of Zion Lutheran Church and participated in many different organizations. She will truly be cherished and held tightly in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
Linda is survived by her daughter, Sally R. Garrett of East Tawas; son, Damon (Leona) Rath of Newport News, Virginia; sisters, Diane Stanton and Chris DeYoung both of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Ty (Melissa) Garrett of Tawas City, Amanda (Nathan) Shawn of East Tawas, Cantrell Rath of Vancouver, Washington, Dylan Rath of Newport News, Virginia; great grandchildren, Morgan (Caroline) Garrett, Riley Garrett, Dacoda (Hannah) Shawn, Lukas Shawn, and Gavin Shawn; great great grandchildren, Lillian and Magnolia Shawn, with another sister (Bristol June) on the way, and Eleanor Garrett; many nieces and nephews. Linda is preceded in death by her parents, Fredrick and Ruth DeYoung; her husband, Frederick W. Rath Jr, to whom she married on September 5, 1958; a son, Cameron Jay Rath; and a brother-in-law, Patrick Stanton.
A private family service will be held at Buresh Funeral Home with a graveside committal prayer service held at Zion Lutheran Cemetery immediately following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to Compassus Hospice at https://compassuslivingfoundation.org/give-now; or the pediatrics oncology department, University of Michigan at www.michiganmedicine.org.
An online guest registry is available to leave a message of love and support for Linda’s family at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Linda, please visit our floral store.