Rachel Van Duysen, 76 of rural Wagner

Private family committal services will be held at the Emmanuel Cemetery, rural Springfield. Visitation will be Saturday from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner.

Rachel Van Duysen, daughter of Cornelius "Casey" and Bessie (Boschma) Van Duysen, was born June 25, 1936 at her grandmother's home in Avon. As a newborn, her older siblings kept her cool by fanning her with a blanket. Rachel went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, after a long illness. She attained the age of 76 years, 11 months and 19 days.

Rachel grew up in the rural Dante area and received her eighth grade education at country schools near Avon and Dante. She and her sister Jose helped to care for their Mother for many years. Rachel also worked outdoors helping with chores and field work with her brother and his family.

Rachel was a member of the Friedensberg Bible Church where she served on the service committee for many years. She also provided music on the piano and accordian for many years.

Rachel was an outdoor person. She loved horses, chickens and to garden. She and her sister Jose loved music, especially Country Gospel and Western Cowboy songs. Together they sang and played at many different places and occasions all over the area. Rachel could sit down at a piano and play most anything. She blessed many others through the gifts God gave her..... and her music will live in the hearts of many for years to come.

Thankful for having shared her life are her brother Frances "Fritz and wife Danelda; nephews: Mark and wife Joanie; Murlen and wife Sandy; Michael (died November 15, 2002) and wife Lori, all of rural Wagner; many great nieces and nephews and several great-great nieces and nephews; special friends: Rita Archambeau and Marlis Eben; and many other relatives and friends.

Rachel was preceded in death by her parents; brother John; sister Josephine; nephew Mike; and great nephew Casey.