Virginia L. (Hammersmith) Rathbun, age 81 formerly of Natoma, Kansas, died Monday, November 9, 2020, at her daughter’s home in McPherson, Kansas. She was born February 13, 1939, in Russell, Kansas to Alfonse and Silverina I. (Quint) Hammersmith. She married James L. Rathbun on July 18, 1964, at Gorham, Kansas.
She worked at the Russell State Bank from 1963 to 1970, then moved to Plainville in 1971 and she worked at the Storm Insurance Agency. In 1976 she moved south of Natoma and she worked for the first National Bank of Natoma for 32 years, and retired in 2010.
Virginia grew up in Gorham and Plainville and was a 1957 graduate of Plainville High School. She and James moved from Natoma, to Via Christi Village Assisted Living Center-Hays in December of 2017.
She a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville, the Daughters of Isabella in Gorham for over 50 years, and the American Legion Auxiliary in Natoma.
Survivors include her husband, James L. Rathbun, Hays, KS; one son, Jason Rathbun and wife, Dawn, Zurich, KS; two daughters, Beth Fyler and husband, Ron, Olmitz, KS; Joy Hohmann and husband, Scott, McPherson, KS; ten grandchildren; eight step grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; one brother, Alfred Hammersmith and wife, Mary, Hays, KS; many cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one infant brother, Marvin Hammersmith; one sister, Darlene Mattas; and one daughter-in-law, Kristin (Miller) Rathbun.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Friday, November 13, 2020, at St. Mary’s Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Russell, Kansas. Inurnment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Gorham, Kansas.
A vigil service and a Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 7:00 P.M. Thursday, at the church with visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, and 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Friday all at the church.
The family suggests memorial to Bluestem P.A.C.E. of McPherson in care of the mortuary.
Due to the coronavirus if you have a cough, fever or are not feeling well, please use our e-mail or on line guestbook. Social distancing and wearing masks will be required at the visitation and funeral services.
Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas. Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected] or can be left at guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com