Mary M. Rath

Madison – Mary Margaret (McKeon) Rath “Mickey”, age 90, of Madison died peacefully at Attic Angel Place on July 9, 2024, from complications of dementia/Alzheimer’s. Mickey was born on March 24, 1934, in Rapid City, SD to H.V. and Margaret (Hyde) McKeon. 

She attended the University of South Dakota where she was crowned Miss Dakota and met the love of her life, Jim. She graduated with a degree in Business Education on June 6, 1955, the same day she and Jim married. During Jim’s 18-month deployment to Korea, they wrote to each other every day. Mickey and Jim arrived in Madison in 1967, where they met life-long friends and raised their children. They were devoted Badger basketball fans. Although Jim was known as the golfer in the family, Mickey was the first Rath with a hole-in-one. On most evenings, Mickey and Jim reserved time alone after dinner to play a game of Cribbage or Yahtzee.

Mickey volunteered for over 40 years at the Attic Angel Community. She also donated time to her church, the Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club and, many years earlier, as a Cub Scout Den Mother. Mickey and Jim were active members of Covenant Presbyterian Church for over 50 years. 

Mickey was preceded in death by Jim (2003), her parents and her brother-in-law, Orley Rath. 

She was greatly loved by her two sons and daughters-in-law: Tom (Karla) and Rob (Jeanine). Mickey enjoyed watching her five grandchildren mature: Erica Hamilton (Charles), Emily Doherty (Billy), Kate, Ryan and Jake. She was proud of her seven great grandchildren: Henry, Grace, Blaire, Tommy, Morgan, James and Jack. Mickey is also survived by her sister, Alice Jane Crabbe (Jeff), her sister-in-law, Viva Rath, many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

A private memorial service will be held. Please make memorials to:

Attic Angel Association – 640 Junction Road, Madison, WI 53717 

Covenant Presbyterian Church – 326 S. Segoe Road, Madison, WI 53705

Pipestone County Food Shelf, 205 2nd St. NW, Pipestone, MN 56164