Rachel Marboe

Rachel Marie (Bjeldanes) Marboe was born on May 23, 1930 in Sheboygan Falls, WI, the daughter of Ole and Angela (Mersch) Bjeldanes. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in south Minneapolis and furthered her education by graduating from the University of Minnesota School of Education. Rachel met Charles Marboe while working at the Pillsbury Company in Minneapolis. After graduating from college, Rachel married Chuck on June 24, 1956 in Minneapolis, MN. Together they had three children: Jane, John, and Michael. While living in Fridley, MN Rachel took care of their family while Chuck received his masters degree in education. They moved to Alexandria in the summer of 1964. Rachel taught elementary school in Garfield, MN and later in Alexandria at Washington and Lincoln schools. She loved finding special ways to help a child learn. Rachel?s philosophy was, ?There is no such thing as an ungifted child.? Rachel was intelligent, gracious, and elegant. She loved to play Scrabble and Dictionary, and often let others win. She was a master gardener, with a special affinity for African violets. A passionate artist who loved beauty, she was a member of the Brush and Palette Club. She was also the charter president of New Horizons, a social and educational group for widowed persons, sponsored by the Anderson Funeral Home. Rachel was a patient and compassionate wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She will be missed by those who knew and loved her. Rachel M. Marboe died on Monday, August 18, 2008 at Knute Nelson in Alexandria at the age of 78. She is survived by her daughter Jane (Ross) Jacobsen of Colorado Springs, CO; sons John (Andrea) Marboe of St. Paul, MN; Mike Marboe of Alexandria; grandchildren Angela, Emma, Grace, and Margaret Jacobsen all of Colorado Springs, CO; Charlotte Marboe of St. Paul, MN; brothers Mitchell (Marion) Bjeldanes of Longmont, CO; Leonard (Marlyce) Bjeldanes of El Cerrito, CA; John (Andrea) Bjeldanes of LaJolla, CA; many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Rachel was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Charles Marboe. A funeral service was held on Monday, August 25, 2008 at the Knute Nelson Chapel with the Reverend James Oakland officiating. Kim Byrne played the piano. Interment was in the Kinkead Cemetery. Casket Bearers were Angela Jacobsen, Emma Jacobsen, Grace Jacobsen, Meg Jacobsen, Charlie Marboe, Mitch Bjeldanes, Leonard Bjeldanes, and John Bjeldanes.