Rachel E. Untiedt

RACHEL E. UNTIEDT was born April 25, 1923 on a farm near Coleman, South Dakota to Irving and Esther (Pond) Kenison. She was one of six children and grew up on family farm in Moody County, South Dakota. She attended school and later graduated from Egan High School in Egan, South Dakota. She then attended one year of a nurse’s training program at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. On March 16, 1945 Rachel was united in marriage to Almer Wallem at a chapel on Aloe Air Base in Victoria, Texas. Following Almer’s service the couple farmed in Moody County until 1970 when they retired from farming and moved to Luverne, Minnesota. Rachel and Almer owned and operated Rachel’s Fabric Shop until 1977. At this time the couple moved into the Centennial Apartments and managed the building until 1984. Almer passed away in 1983. On April 21, 1985 Rachel was united in marriage to Lloyd Untiedt at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. The couple made their home in Luverne and enjoyed entertaining their friends for nineteen years. In March of 1997, Rachel and Lloyd became founding renters at the Oaks apartments in Luverne. Lloyd later passed away in June of 2004. Rachel continued to reside at the Oaks until she moved to the Poplar Creek senior living facility. On Saturday, March 12, 2011 Rachel passed away peacefully at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage in Luverne at the age of 87 years, 10 months, and 17 days.

Rachel was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. She was also active throughout the community. She took great pride in her home. Her children were always proud of bringing over their friends. She enjoyed sewing and playing the piano for her own entertainment.

She is lovingly remembered by her two beloved children, Arlette and her husband Bill Parry of Navarre, Florida, and Mark Wallem and his foster sons, Naveen and Sadan of Nepal; and step-son, Jerry and his wife Susan Untiedt of Cleveland, Georgia, and their three children Steven (Jamie), Caroline, and Jennifer; one sister, Dorothy and her husband Boyd Lee of Knoxville, Tennessee; three sisters-in-law, Jean Kenison and Donna Kenison, both of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Lois Kenison of Stillwater, Minnesota; and a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Almer Wallem and Lloyd Untiedt; parents, Irving and Esther; one sister, Berniele and her husband Loren Smith; and three brothers, Loren, Bob, and Stanley.

A tree will be dedicated by Sanford Luverne Hospice in memory of Rachel. Blessed be her memory!