Rachel Lanz

October 20, 1933 - July 5, 2018

Family and Friends are invited to the Celebration of Life open house for Rachel Lanz of Wadena, to be held on Friday, July 13, from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m. at the Johnson-Schuller Chapel in Wadena. A Time of Remembrance will begin at 3:00 p.m. Rachel, age 84, passed away on Thursday, July 5, 2018, at the Fair Oaks Lodge, Wadena, MN. Rachel Katherine Robinson was born on October 20,1933 in Geddes, South Dakota. Rachel spent her early years moving from one small town to another, as her father was a minister, and being the oldest of 3 children, a sister and brother, she learned at an early age to serve others. At the age of 19 her sister, who was only a few years younger than her, passed away. She attended the Holiness Methodist School of Theology in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for one year and on June 25, 1953 she married Chester Lanz. Chester was a pastor and together they served in Clackamas Heights, OR; Watson, MN; Ebro, MN; and Ardoch, ND. In 1961 he left the pastorate and they and their five children moved to Gladstone, Oregon. In 1966 their youngest child was born. Even though Chester left the ministry, they never left the church and did whatever was necessary to assist their many pastors through the years. Rachel served and helped in whatever capacity was needed to minister to her local church, investing in the lives of many families, widows and orphans. She played the piano for all the church services from an early age, taught Sunday School, taught "Busy Beavers" on Wednesday nights, and was the Sunday School Secretary. After retirement she enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. In 2006 they moved to Humphrey Manor, in Wadena, then to Fair Oaks Apartments, and eventually to Fair Oaks Lodge. She was preceded in death by her husband, Chester Lanz; parents, William and Mabel; sister, Wilma Robinson; brother, James Robinson, and great-grandson, Titus. Rachel will be remembered for her unique way of engaging people, and her unusual sense of fun. Rachel is survived by her children, Lorrie (Armond) Swanson, Larry (Lisa) Lanz, Lee (Sharon) Lanz, Lynette (Steve) Stowell, Lloyd (Cindy) Lanz, and Leslie (David) Bond. She is also survived by her grandchildren Brian (Sara) Trosen, Troy (Briana) Trosen, Becky (Scott) Johnson, Nathaniel (Stacy) Lanz, Skyler (Erin) Lanz, Douglas Bond, Summer (Joshua) Daniels, J.D. (Cree) Lanz, Logan Lanz, Brandon (Beth) Morgan, Benjamin Lanz, Andrew Lanz, Elizabeth Lanz, Steven Stowell, Levi Lanz, and Josiah Lanz; great-grandchildren Tatum, Elliott, Tobias, Paige, Adam, Nicholas, Emma, Benjamin, Logan, Ezra, Lucy and Chad; along with sisters-in-law, Alice Robinson and Dorothy Lanz. Burial will be in the Wadena Cemetery, Wadena, MN.