Rachel Edwards

Rachel Edwards, 67, died Tuesday, May 26, 2009, at the Lakewood Care Center in Staples, Minnesota, with cancer and heart failure. She was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, January 7, 1942, the second-oldest in a family of eight children, to Rev. Alexander and Mrs. Ruth Thompson. Her given first name was the same as her mother’s so she always went by her middle name. Her father was a Lutheran pastor, serving parishes in Wisconsin, North Dakota and Minnesota, moving the family several times during her childhood. She graduated from Moorhead High School and Moorhead State College, and taught second grade for a short time in Fargo, North Dakota, until she began her own family. While attending Moorhead State, she met and married Staples, MN native Don Edwards. He taught in Fargo after their marriage until they moved with their growing family to Staples where he taught at the vocational school, now Central Lakes College. Their seven children all attended Lincoln Model School and were graduated from Staples High School. They are Jathan (Kimberly) Edwards, Afton, MN; Deanna Edwards, Moorhead, MN; Lisa (Larry) Sandberg, Staples, MN; Kathryn Edwards, Staples, MN; Kara Edwards, St. Paul, MN; Justin Edwards, Somerset, WI; and Rayme Edwards, Brainerd, MN. There are 26 grandchildren: Jessica, Heather, Kelly, Rebecca, Rachel, Hannah, Laurie, Jonathan, David, Joshua, Sarah, Hope, & Cherish Edwards; Allegra & Daniela Edwards; Malyk Edwards; Ariana, Sienna, Josiah, Tahlia, Kiarra, Ashley, & Elliott Sandberg; and Megan, Noah & Rose Han, and a great-granddaughter, Evelyn. Rachel was preceded in death by a daughter, Lisa, and is survived by five brothers and two sisters: Edythe (Howard) Johnson, Minneapolis, MN; Naomi (Scott) Carlon, Ramsey, MN; Philip (Judy) Thompson, Duluth, MN; Joel (Patty) Thompson, Robbinsdale, MN; Michael (Mary) Thompson, Alexandria, MN; Peter Thompson, Wadena, MN; and Paul Thompson, Golden Valley, MN. A sister-in-law Rose (Ernie) Grossman lives in Baxter, MN. At the request of the deceased, there was a direct burial at the Evergreen Cemetery in Staples, MN. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at the Faith Lutheran Church in Staples, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Living Legacy Garden, MCCL, or another charity.

Rachel Edwards

January 7, 1942 - May 26, 2009