Obituary of Rachel Diebolt
Eva Rachel Diebolt, 91, of Iola, Kansas, passed away Thursday, November 1, 2012, at the Allen County Hospital.
She was born on July 3rd, 1921 to Jessie Lenore Trowbridge and Albert Benton Hutchison in Yates Center, Kansas. She attended school and later moved to Princeton, Kansas, where she finished school, graduating in 1940. She was attending nurses training school in Kansas City when she met her first husband, George E. McIntosh. They were married in 1942. After 21 years of marriage and 3 children, George passed away in 1963.
Rachel's cousin, Maxine, and Lawrence Diebolt were married at nearly the same time. Lawrence and Rachel's lives were so close as they both lost their mates three weeks apart. They also both named their first daughters, Gloria. After their mate's deaths, Rachel began going from Ottawa to Iola to help Lawrence's girls with canning and caring for the home. She still had one boy at home. Lawrence asked her if she could help him with his family, eight girls and two boys. She agreed and one year later they were married. Rachel had been a Baptist for 42 years, and before they were married, she joined St. John's Catholic Church in Iola. They have been active in the same church since their marriage. They were married 40 years before Lawrence preceded her in death March 3, 2005.
Rachel has lived a good life and touched many hearts. She has been a joy to be near, with always a smile and a kind word. Her generosity has been shown in many ways. She was quite active in bowling for many years, until broken hips made it impossible. Rachel was past President of Beta Sigma Phi, V.F.W. Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, and Ladies Friday Night Bowling. She was active in St. John's Altar Society, a volunteer for the American Cancer Society, and Cancer Reach to Recovery for 20 years. She also belonged to the Iola Hospital Auxiliary for awhile. Rachel was a member of the Sunflower Quilters' Guild. Her hobbies were bowling, quilting, sewing, and she loved to fish. Rachel will be missed by all who knew her, as she was always ready and willing to help anywhere she was needed.
SURVIVORS:
8 Children: Gloria Rawlings & husband, Nick of Pleasanton, KS, Diana David & husband, Buddie of Moran, KS, Don Diebolt & wife, Susan of Iola, KS, Mary Botteron & husband, Richard of Warsaw, MO, Carol McKinney & husband, Chuck of Dewey, AZ, Pat Shankel of Shawnee, KS, Clara Guckes & husband, Tim of Menifee, CA and Sharon Hughes & husband, Ben of Hillsdale, KS
2 Daughters-In-Law: Donna Diebolt of Welda, KS, and Nola Moore of Ottawa, KS
28 Grandchildren, 54 Great Grandchildren and 3 Great Great Grandchildren
She was preceded in death by 3 sons, John McIntosh, George McIntosh and Larry Diebolt, 2 daughters, Gloria McIntosh and Kathryn Kay Diebolt, grandson Michael Diebolt, 2 brothers, Albert and Mickey Hutchison and one sister, Marianne.
ROSARY: 6:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 2, 2012, at St. John's Catholic Church in Iola.
VISITATION: Following the rosary in the Parish Center
FUNERAL MASS: 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, at St. John's Catholic Church in Iola.
GRAVESIDE SERVICE: 2:00 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, at Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas
MEMORIAL CHOICES: St. John's Catholic Church or American Legion Auxiliary
Memorials may be left with the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences for the family may be left on this website, www.iolafuneral.com.