Rachel Diebolt

November 3, 2012

Eva Rachel Diebolt, 91, of Iola, passed away Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, at Allen County Hospital.
She was born July 3, 1921 to Jessie Lenore Trowbridge and Albert Benton Hutchison in Yates Center. She attended school and later moved to Princeton, where she finished school, graduating in 1940. She was attending nursing school in Kansas City when she met her first husband, George E. McIntosh. They were married in 1942. After 21 years of marriage and three 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 mates’ 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 had 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, always with 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, Veterans of Foreign Wars 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 a while. 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 are eight children, Gloria Rawlings and husband Nick, Pleasanton, Diana David and husband Buddie, Moran, Don Diebolt and wife Susan, Iola, Mary Botteron and husband Richard, Warsaw, Mo., Carol McKinney and husband Chuck, Dewey, Ariz., Pat Shankel of Shawnee, Clara Guckes and husband Tim, Menifee, Calif., and Sharon Hughes and husband Ben, Hillsdale; two daughters-in-law, Donna Diebolt of Welda, and Nola Moore of Ottawa; 28 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by three sons, John McIntosh, George McIntosh and Larry Diebolt; two daughters, Gloria McIntosh and Kathryn Kay Diebolt; grandson Michael Diebolt; two brothers, Albert and Mickey Hutchison; and one sister, Marianne.
Rosary and visitation were Friday at St. John’s Catholic Church in Iola.
Funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. today at St. John’s Catholic Church in Iola.
Graveside services will follow at 2 p.m. at Highland Cemetery, Ottawa.
Memorial choices are St. John’s Catholic Church or American Legion Auxiliary and may be left with Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola.
Online condolences may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.