Clarence Kenneth Rath, 80, was born January 29, 1930, in Aberdeen, S.D., to Tobias and Anna (Maule) Rath.

He grew up on a farm east of Longlake, S.D. Clarence attended rural school south of Longlake. He often joked that he walked to school uphill both ways, with only one overshoe in the wintertime. He graduated from Leola High School in 1947. Clarence earned a teaching certificate from Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen in 1947 and taught one year of rural school. He completed his training at Coyne Electrical School in Chicago in 1949.

Clarence married Virginia Fischer June 26, 1949, at Salem-Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Longlake. They lived in Longlake until moving to Whitewood, S.D., in 1987. Five sons and two daughters were born to this union. The couple celebrated their 60th anniversary with family and friends in 2009.

Clarence worked as an electrical contractor for most of his adult life. He started his electrical business by wiring farms in the Longlake area during rural electrification. He and his wife formed a family business eventually called Rath Electric. His father was his first employee. His brother, Jim, worked with him for several years. The business evolved into Rath and Sons Electric as his sons began working with him.

Clarence was appointed rural mail carrier serving the Longlake area in June 1949. He began working out of Eureka, S.D., in 1978 when his route was consolidated with Eureka's Route 3. He was a very dedicated carrier, using whatever means necessary to deliver the mail including snowmobile and an airplane. He retired Jan. 3, 1988, after nearly 40 years as a mail carrier.

Clarence enjoyed playing baseball and football as a young man. He played baseball on several teams in the Longlake and Eureka areas. He remained an avid baseball and football fan his entire life.

He was active in the community life of Longlake. He served as a member of the School Boards of both Longlake and Leola and served as a member of the Eureka Hospital Board of Directors. He coached Little League and helped organize the Longlake softball tournaments. He was instrumental in building the senior housing complexes in Longlake.

Clarence was involved in the Whitewood Forest Acres housing development near Whitewood. He enjoyed living in the Black Hills, especially his work maintaining healthy forests and grasslands.

Clarence exemplified a strong work ethic. He also loved a competitive game of pinochle. He took great pride in his family.

Clarence had a deep Christian faith and devotion to his Lord. He was baptized into Christ March 16, 1930, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Longlake. He confirmed his faith July 2, 1944, at Salem-Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Longlake. He was a member of Salem-Emmanuel Lutheran Church for 57 years where he served on the Church Council and as Sunday School Superintendent. Upon moving to Whitewood, he joined Immanuel Lutheran Church where he was a member for 23 years. He was very involved in the life of both congregations and served his churches in many ways.

He was a member of the Black Hills Chapter of the Germans from Russia Heritage Society and the Rural Letter Carriers Association on both a state and national level.

He died February 16, 2010, at his home in Whitewood following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Visitation will be Friday from noon until 9:00 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 20, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Whitewood with the Rev. David Baer officiating. Burial will follow at the Whitewood Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia, Whitewood; his two daughters: Joanne (David) Baer, Whitewood, and Jeanne (Dugan) Petersen, Fort Pierre; his five sons: Conroy (Anne) Rath, Brookings; Tony (Brenda) Rath, Whitewood; Toby (Lois) Rath, Whitewood; Eric Rath, Littleton, Colo.; and Tim Rath, Whitewood; 10 grandchildren: Cory (Kelly) Rath, Plymouth, Minn., Erin Rath, Sioux Falls; Russell Petersen, Aliso Viejo, Calif.; Amy (Kevin) Dix, Aberdeen; Jessica Petersen, Sioux Falls; Brad (Sara) Gilchrist, Roy, Utah; Jason Rath, Lead; Alex Rath, Whitewood; David Baer, Whitewood; and Kiley Rath, Brookings; three great-granddaughters: Emmalyn Gilchrist, Roy, Utah; Olivia Dix, Aberdeen; and Lily Rath, Plymouth, Minn.; his sister, Genevieve (David) Hueseman, Lodi, Calif.; his brother, Jim Rath, Eureka, S.D.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials have been established to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Whitewood or to Hospice of the Northern Hills.