Cecile Rathbun
courtesy photo
Cecile Rathbun
ST. GEORGE, UTAH — Cecile Marie Rathbun, 81, passed away peacefully on Oct. 27, 2021, from health issues at Dixie Hospital in St. George, Utah.
She was born to Ralph Dell Coulter and Ann Marie (Hood) Coulter in Missoula, on April 24, 1940.
As a small child, she had many adventures at the family’s home by McDonald Lake near St. Ignatius, where she attended the Ursuline Catholic School. The family later moved into Charlo where she would graduate from high school in May of 1958. In June of 1958 she married Danny Leroy Arends and out of that union had three children, Dennis Michael Arends (Jolene), William Troy Arends (Flora), and Shelley Arends Samsel (Steve). She later met and married Clark Lewis Choate and had two children, Fredrick Lewis Choate (Rayanne) and Shawna Rae Choate Rodriguez (Onix). On July 29, 1979, she went on to marry the love of her life, Denver Duane Rathbun, and she welcomed his four children, Dennis Rathbun (Kathy), Terry Rathbun (Meredith), Richard Rathbun and Jeff Rathbun (Marissa), into her family.
Although Cecile worked hard at many jobs throughout her life, her primary job was a homemaker. Some fond memories were of her baking bread in their small oven inside juice cans. She would make 27 loaves and rolls, which was quite a feat. Cecile enjoyed cooking holiday family dinners and would often have 20-25 guests.
By far her greatest accomplishment was starting her own business, DeZign by Ceil. She loved to showcase her art by painting the beautiful Montana wildflowers, which she displayed on cards, paintings, as well as women’s clothing. She had an artistic spirit from a young age; she loved to sew, crochet and embroider.
Denver and Cecile built and remodeled many houses in the Polson area, which led to the unmasking of her talent for interior design. There was not a painting technique she didn’t try, in one way or another.
She was very active in her community, where she enjoyed giving back by volunteering at her local church’s thrift store and was also an active member of the local Red Hat Society, where she met some wonderful lifelong friends.
Anyone who knew Cecile, knew she was not one to sit still; she needed to always be doing something. She defiantly did not let her age, or her illness slow her down one bit. She was a spitfire to the very end.
Cecile is survived by her sister, Lamay Coulter Southam and her five children, Dennis, William Troy, Shelley, Fred, and Shawna; her four stepchildren, Denny, Terry, Richard, and Jeff; her 19 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Cecile was preceded in death by her husband, Denver Rathbun; her mother and father, Ralph and Ann Coulter; her two sisters, Mary Shilleen Coulter Southam and Virgina Ann Coulter Schoonmaker.
Cecile’s wishes were to go home to Montana, where the family will have a celebration of her life in June of 2022, with the date to be determined.
