Rachel Lorine (Balz) Rabe, age 90, of Howards Grove, was whisked away by her Lord to Heavenly Paradise, and to dance with her husband forever, on July 4, 2026.

Rachel was born on January 14, 1936, to the late William and Laura (Dedering) Balz on the homestead farm in the town of Schleswig. She graduated from Kiel High School as Salutatorian, with the class of 1954 and attended Manitowoc County Teacher’s College.

Rachel shared a beautiful love story with her husband, Eugene. They were married on Oct 6,1956, in Kiel, Wisconsin. He preceded her in death on January 1, 2023.

Upon his draft notice into the U.S.Army, Rachel joined Eugene where they resided in New York and Mississippi. After returning to Wisconsin, they built a home in the town of Sheboygan and lived there for 55 years.

Rachel was employed as an Administrative Assistant during Eugene’s military tenure and then later at Superior Credit Union, Wagner Home Center and Aldag-Honald, Inc.

Together Rachel and Eugne built a family rooted in devotion, faith, and enduring love. Her greatest joy was her family. She treasured her three children and held her grandchildren and great-grandchildren close to her heart, taking pride in each of their lives and accomplishments. The love she gave so freely will continue to live on through the generations she helped shape.

Rachel had a remarkable gift for making people feel welcomed, valued, and cared for. Whether through a warm smile, a thoughtful gesture, a funny facial expression or one of her quick-witted jokes, she brought light into the lives of those around her.

Many hours were spent at their cottage in the Crooked Lake area and also visiting out-of-state military friends.

Rachel enjoyed boat rides, campfires, gardening, bird watching, bus tour travels, sheepshead, card games, dancing, as well as family gatherings.

She loved spoiling her grandchildren, crafting with them and making sure that they always had homemade snacks, fresh bread and never forgetting to add that special dessert. She had a way of turning ordinary moments into cherished memories.

Rachel was deeply connected to her church. She belonged to Ladies Aide, volunteered for the church school and served hot lunches and sang in the choir.

She believed in treating others with compassion and respect, and she lived those values every day. Her kindness was not something she reserved for special occasions, it was simply who she was. More than anything, Rachel leaves behind a legacy of love. She taught those around her that kindness matters, that laughter is a gift, and that a life well lived is measured not by what we accumulate, but by the love we share.

Surviving her includes her three children, Alan Rabe, Manitowoc; Dale (Kathy) Rabe, Sheboygan Falls; and Lynn (Dave) Trochta, Plymouth. Her grandchildren; Brenton (Kristy) Rabe, Colton Rabe, Duston (Brittney) Rabe, Dakota (Sierra) Rabe, Amber (Jeremy Schultz) Schmidt. Nicholas (Jackie Werner) Rabe, Ben Matzdorf, Matt (Armella) Matzdorf, Nick (Krissy) Matzdorf; Cody, Austin and Jocelyn Trochta and her 17 Great-Grandchildren: Landon, Elaina, McKenna, Kesley, Kinley, Brayden, Logan, Dylan, Ryan, Zoey, Roman, Ainsley, Ben Jr., Theodore, Cassius, Audrey and Averie.

Rachel is further survived by her sister-in-law Carol Balz and brother-in-law Herman Gaedtke, beloved nieces and nephews, special family friends, Marty Frick and Jim Klich, and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene, her parents, brother Jerome Balz, sisters and brother-in-law Adeline (Gordon) Schmitz, Marion Balz, parents-in-law, Alfon and Oliva (Brocker) Rabe, and sister-in-law, Carol (Rabe) Gaedtke.

Funeral services for Rachel will be held at 4:30pm on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 441 Millersville Ave, Howards Grove with Pastor Adam Bode officiating.

The family will greet relatives and friends at the church from 2pm-4:15pm. Cremation will follow the service, and Rachel will be laid to rest with her husband, Eugene, at Schleswig Cemetery, Kiel Wisconsin at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Rachel’s name for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Howards Grove and Manitowoc Lutheran High School.

The family would like to send a special thank you to the Harvest Home Assisted Living Caregivers for all of the amazing care and compassion shown to Rachel over the past few years.

Though Rachel has passed on, the lessons she taught and the love she shared will remain a guiding light for all of us. While her passing leaves a tremendous void in the hearts of those who loved her, her family finds comfort in knowing that she is in heaven, healthy and that the seeds of kindness, faith and joy that she planted throughout her life will continue to flourish.

Her memory will live on in every act of compassion, every family gathering, every blooming flower, every polka tune, and every shared laugh.

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