Lynn Marion Rathbun, 78, of Nisland, SD, passed away on December 3, 2015. Although never having smoked, she fought a long, courageous battle against non-smoking lung cancer.

Lynn was born July 27, 1937 in Bowman, North Dakota to Evelyn Christansen and Ed Arithson. The seventh of twelve children, she was raised on the Arithson State Line Herford Ranch in Bowman and Harding Counties.

Lynn attended country school and Bowman High School. She went on to attend Concordia College in Moorehead, Minnesota and National American University in Rapid City, SD with continuing study in art and music.

Lynn married David Rathbun on May 31,1958, in Bowman, ND. They settled on the Rathbun farm where she made her life as a farm wife and mother.

Lynn had a great appreciation for art and music. She was a member of the Black Hill Art Association and was an accomplished artist. She loved horses and the outdoors.

Lynn is survived by her husband, David; children, Turner Lee Rathbun, Belle Fourche, and Jeffrey Rathbun, Nisland; grandchildren, Joshua Pummel, Spearfish, Meredith Pummel, Belle Fourche, and Samantha Rathbun; brothers, Rodger (Roma) Arithson, Greeley, CO, David (Lynda) Arithson Buffalo, and Dwight (Kim) Arithson, Spearfish; sisters; Jeannette (Dick) Blair, Santa Barba, CA, Audrey Harvey, Scottsbluff, NE and Jane (Doug) Rogers, Rapid City.

Lynn was preceded in death by her parents, Evelyn and Ed Arithson; brothers Jim and Don Arithson; sisters Ruth Olson, Elinor Nickelson and Eileen Droullard.

A private service for close friends and family has been planned.

Memorials are being established to the Animal Sanctuary in Spearfish, SD and to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.