1929
Rachel
2011
Rachel Martin
March 12, 1929 — July 28, 2011
Funeral services for Rachel Martin of Morris, MN will be held Tuesday, August 2, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Morris. Reverend Donald Main will be officiating. Visitation will be held Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris and for one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday. Burial will be in Summit Cemetery in Morris.
Rachel Virginia Blakesley, daughter of Ralph and Edith (Wallace) Blakesley, was born March 12, 1929 in Willmar, Minnesota. Rachel lived in Maynard, before moving to Morris with her family. She graduated from the West Central School of Agriculture in Morris. Following her schooling, she worked as a night telephone operator in Montevideo and Morris. On June 6, 1954, she was united in marriage to Wilmer Martin at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Morris by Reverend H. C. Duehlmirer. The couple lived in Morris, where they raised their seven children. Rachel was confirmed on April 22, 1956 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Willie died on November 24, 2004. Rachel continued to make her home in Morris until the time of her death.
Rachel was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Morris and the Morris VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries. She loved spending time with her family. She loved to read, sew and embroider. She and Willie enjoyed traveling with friends and family, especially Darold and Donna Martin. Together they left their mark on various destinations around the world. Rachel was probably most famous for her ability to cook meals for any size crowd. Everything she whipped up was a Minnesota comfort food masterpiece. Her homemade buns, potato salad and brownies were legendary.
Rachel died on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at the Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris, MN. She lived to reach the age of 82 years.
She is survived by seven children: Edith (Victor) Headrick of Manitowoc, WI, Rebecca (Lonny) Arnold of Morris, Paul (Gina) Martin of Morris; Lori Martin of Morris, Stephanie Martin of Morris, Sheila Martin of Minneapolis and Sharon Martin of Morris; nine grandchildren: Noah (Eve) Headrick of St. Joseph, MI, Ian (Miranda) Headrick of Cedarburg, WI, Josiah Headrick of Manitowoc, WI, Miriam Headrick of Manitowoc, WI, Lincoln Arnold of Morris, Conor Arnold of Morris, Lee Martin of Duluth, Luke Martin of Park City, UT and Max Martin of Morris; two great-grandchildren: Charis and Ezra Headrick of St. Joseph, MI; three brothers: Paul Blakesley of Hoffman, Don Blakesley of Kerkhoven and Dick Blakesley of Alexandria; two sisters: Peggy (Wally) Horning of Chokio and Mary Beyer of St. Paul and one brother-in-law: Darold (Donna) Martin of Benson. She was preceded in death by her husband; one grandson: Martin Arnold; her parents and two sisters-in-law: Marlene and Janice Blakesley.
Pallbearers for the service are Rachel's grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers are all who called Rachel friend. Phyllis Joos will serve as organist for the service with Sharon Martin serving as soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
Rachel Virginia Blakesley, daughter of Ralph and Edith (Wallace) Blakesley, was born March 12, 1929 in Willmar, Minnesota. Rachel lived in Maynard, before moving to Morris with her family. She graduated from the West Central School of Agriculture in Morris. Following her schooling, she worked as a night telephone operator in Montevideo and Morris. On June 6, 1954, she was united in marriage to Wilmer Martin at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Morris by Reverend H. C. Duehlmirer. The couple lived in Morris, where they raised their seven children. Rachel was confirmed on April 22, 1956 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Willie died on November 24, 2004. Rachel continued to make her home in Morris until the time of her death.
Rachel was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Morris and the Morris VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries. She loved spending time with her family. She loved to read, sew and embroider. She and Willie enjoyed traveling with friends and family, especially Darold and Donna Martin. Together they left their mark on various destinations around the world. Rachel was probably most famous for her ability to cook meals for any size crowd. Everything she whipped up was a Minnesota comfort food masterpiece. Her homemade buns, potato salad and brownies were legendary.
Rachel died on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at the Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris, MN. She lived to reach the age of 82 years.
She is survived by seven children: Edith (Victor) Headrick of Manitowoc, WI, Rebecca (Lonny) Arnold of Morris, Paul (Gina) Martin of Morris; Lori Martin of Morris, Stephanie Martin of Morris, Sheila Martin of Minneapolis and Sharon Martin of Morris; nine grandchildren: Noah (Eve) Headrick of St. Joseph, MI, Ian (Miranda) Headrick of Cedarburg, WI, Josiah Headrick of Manitowoc, WI, Miriam Headrick of Manitowoc, WI, Lincoln Arnold of Morris, Conor Arnold of Morris, Lee Martin of Duluth, Luke Martin of Park City, UT and Max Martin of Morris; two great-grandchildren: Charis and Ezra Headrick of St. Joseph, MI; three brothers: Paul Blakesley of Hoffman, Don Blakesley of Kerkhoven and Dick Blakesley of Alexandria; two sisters: Peggy (Wally) Horning of Chokio and Mary Beyer of St. Paul and one brother-in-law: Darold (Donna) Martin of Benson. She was preceded in death by her husband; one grandson: Martin Arnold; her parents and two sisters-in-law: Marlene and Janice Blakesley.
Pallbearers for the service are Rachel's grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers are all who called Rachel friend. Phyllis Joos will serve as organist for the service with Sharon Martin serving as soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
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