Longtime Emporia Convention and Visitors Bureau, now Visit Emporia, Director Susan Rathke has passed away.
Rathke passed away Friday after a battle with cancer. Rathke spent 27 years with the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce including seven years as the director of the Emporia Convention before her retirement in January 2021.
In addition to this, Rathke served the community in a number of other capacities through her membership on several boards and committees. Emporia Chamber President and CEO Jeanine McKenna worked with Rathke for 21 years and says she was a “positively infectious person” who always left others feeling happy.
McKenna adds Rathke leaves behind a legacy of “elevation” for the local community and it was “an honor and a privilege” to work beside her.
Current Visit Emporia Director Lelan Dains succeeded Rathke following her retirement. He says she left behind a tremendous foundation and you would be “hard-pressed” to find someone who cared more about the Emporia community.
Funeral services are currently pending.
