Sylvia Marie Rattenborg

Sylvia Marie Rattenborg, the daughter of Chris P. and Anna Marie Leander Nelsen, was born July 2, 1920 at her parents home near Brayton, Iowa and died April 3, 2011 at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 90 years, 9 months and 1 day.
Sylvia was baptized at the Oak Hill Lutheran Church west of Brayton, Iowa. She attended rural school in the Brayton area. She then helped at home.
On October 12, 1941 she was united in marriage to Herbert S. Rattenborg at the Hamlin Lutheran Church. They farmed east of Hamlin. Sylvia raised chickens and later worked at the corn-canning factory in Coon Rapids, Iowa for a short time. For the most part Sylvia was a homemaker cooking, sewing and taking care of her family. Herbert died January 5, 1998. Sylvia enjoyed her home until she moved to the Friendship Home in February of 2011.
Sylvia was a member of the Hamlin Lutheran Church. Sylvia and Herb were founding members of the Audubon County Saddle Club and helped design their flag and uniforms. She was a 4-H leader for many years. She was an avid member of the Democratic Party. She enjoyed helping her daughter Marcia in her school classroom reading stories and entertaining the class. Sylvia enjoyed watching T.V. In her later years she became hard of hearing and was pleased when caption T.V. was developed. Her favorite programs were CNN and Anderson Cooper. Sylvia always enjoyed life and loved her family. She loved to watch birds and enjoyed her flowers. Having coffee and cookies ready for guest was a priority. She enjoyed riding her scooter with her grandkids on the bike path between Brayton and Exira. Riding in the 4th of July Parade on a wagon pulled by a team of Kristins horses for her 90th birthday was a treasured memory for the entire family.
Sylvia was preceded in death by her husband Herbert S. Rattenborg; her parents; her brothers and sisters: Daniel and wife Nellie Nelsen; Lois Nelsen; Jo Ann and husband Claude Lasley and Jackie Nelsen.
Survivors include her daughters: Dianne and husband Jim Nielsen of Kimballton, Iowa; Marcia and husband Gaylin Huey of Audubon, Iowa; Kristin and husband John Yeske of Alton, Iowa; her grandchildren: Chris and wife Jenn Bails of Harlan, Iowa; Steve Bails and friend Julie Taylor of Omaha, Nebraska; Bret and wife Jacqueline Leymaster of Carroll, Iowa; Beau Leymaster and friend Bree Carpenter of Leon, Iowa; Brittney Huey of Idaho Springs, Colorado; Jenni Yeske of Holland, Michigan; Lisa Yeske and fianc Nick Livermore of Ames, Iowa; Kurt Yeske of Alton; her great grandchildren: Cole Bails and Abby Taylor both of Omaha; Sienna Leymaster and Rayne Leymaster both of Carroll; Desi Gentry, Kaige Leymaster, Haden Leymaster and Trysten Carpenter all of Leon; her brothers: George Nelsen of Atlantic, Iowa; Willis and wife Iola Nelson of Exira, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Hamlin Lutheran Cemetery in Hamlin, Iowa.

Visitation:
The family will meet with friends Wednesday evening at 5:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock on Thursday, April 7, 2011, at 10:30 A.M. at the Brayton Lutheran Church in Brayton, Iowa.