Rachel J. Schlabach

Rachel June Kropf Schlabach passed away Wednesday, November 8, 2017, at the Mennonite Village Nursing Home, Albany, Oregon, aged eighty-three years. She was born on June 24, 1934 near Harrisburg, Oregon to John and Myra King Kropf, the ninth of fourteen children.

Rachel grew up on the family farm north of Harrisburg.  She attended Rowland Grade School from first grade through 8th grade.  There were many chores growing up on the farm. Rachel talked of making beds with her sister Marianna and ironing long sleeved Sunday shirts for her brothers. Rachel loved growing up on the farm, especially watching the new hay being stored in the barn, but she also thought it was a lot of work! It was somewhere during this time that Rachel honed her skills for being clean and tidy.  One of the sad events in her life as a young teenager was the loss of her sister Florence.

The family attended Harrisburg Mennonite Church, where Rachel accepted the Lord as her Savior at a revival meeting lead by Elias Klup.  She was baptized on February 23, 1947.

Rachel married Aden Schlabach from Winesburg, Ohio on July 22, 1953.  This union would last for 64 years.  Rachel and Aden were blessed with three children, four grandchildren and six great grandchildren.  In the first years of their marriage, Rachel and Aden lived in several locations including a year in Ohio.  Upon returning, Aden trained to become a barber.  The family moved near Corvallis, Oregon, eventually building a new home and settling on Peoria Rd.   This was their home for over thirty years.  During these years, Rachel and Aden and their family attended Fairview Mennonite Church. Rachel loved her home and her family. She was an excellent seamstress and made many beautiful garments for her family.  She made many dresses for her granddaughters also.  She had a green thumb and had beautiful inside and outside flowers. She also had a nice yard and garden filled with many fruits and vegetables.  She was a good cook.  Her family enjoyed many fine dishes and desserts, especially her pecan pie and chocolate cake.

After the children were grown, Rachel and Aden took many trips and enjoyed visiting many national parks and historical sites all over the northwest, western Canada, California, Arizona, Ohio, Washington DC and Alaska. They also loved to explore and hike all over the region and often invited others to join them, including nieces and nephews.  Their grandchildren also enjoyed hiking adventures with grandpa and grandma. 

In later years, they moved to Dallas, Oregon to be near their daughter. They attended Evangelical Bible Church as long as health permitted.    Rachel enjoyed creating a garden in their new home.  Later they purchased a mobile home in Greenway Park in Dallas.   She also loved to collect Fenton glassware.  She and Aden had much fun seeking out special pieces. 

It was difficult for Rachel to lose the ability to do the things she loved as her health began to fail.  Aden faithfully cared for her needs.  Rachel would ask for her Bible every day, reading from it and praying.  She received much comfort and peace in the days of her waning health, knowing she would spend eternity in the presence of her Lord and Savior.  She is there now, and the pains of this life are with her no more.

Rachel was preceded in death by her parents, sisters: Florence Neuschwander and Irene Stutzman, brothers: John Jr., Fred, and Myron Kropf.  She is survived by her husband Aden.  Sons: Dennis (Miriam) Schlabach, Lebanon; Eugene (Lauri) Schlabach, Salem; Daughter: Sandra (Ron) Quiring, Rickreall.   Grandsons: Andrew(Amy) Schlabach, Lebanon; Kyle(Christel) Schlabach, Beaverton.  Granddaughters: Rebekah Quiring and Suzanne Quiring, Rickreall.  Great grandsons: Drew, Gabe, Ian, and Titus Schlabach, and great granddaughters Keira Schlabach and Ella Schlabach.  She is also survived by brothers, Milton, Floyd, Daniel, and Percy Kropf, and sisters Marianna Ulrich, Dellada Siddall, Joy King and Jean Clay.

The family would like to thank those who visited, prayed for us and otherwise shared in mom’s recent stay at the Mennonite Village Nursing home.