Rachel Pilcher

Jan. 11, 1920-Aug. 25, 2011

BRUSH, Colorado -- Rachel Pilcher died Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011, at the East Morgan County Hospital following a short illness in Brush, Colorado at the age of 91.

She was born Jan. 11, 1920, at Odell, Nebraska and was the eldest daughter of the late Roy and May (Brubaker) Shaffer.

Rachel grew up at Homesville, Nebraska. She graduated from Rivervies Consolidated high school in 1938. She graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Agriculture in 1943 with a Bachelor's Degree in Vocational Home Economics.

She taught in junior and senior high schools at Modale, Iowa, Ord, Nebraska, Walthill, Nebraska and Red Willow Schools in McCook, Nebraska.

On June 23, 1946, Rachel married Charles E. Pilcher at Beatrice, Nebraska. They lived in Walthill and Butte, Nebraska, moving to McCook, Nebraska in January of 1956 where her husband was an agronomist with the Bureau of Reclamation in McCook. They spent their married life in McCook when her husband retired in 1981 - She moved to Brush, Colorado in October of 2009 to be closer with her family. She was a member of the First Congregational Church in McCook, the Retired Teachers Association, The American Association of University Women, The National Association of Retired Federal Employees, University of Nebraska Alumni Association and the McCook Doll Club.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles on Nov. 26, 2002; and by one son, Richard Pilcher on Oct. 12, 2002; a sister, Ruth; a brother, Harold; her parents; and three grandchildren

She is survived by four sons, Edward R. Pilcher and his wife Louise of Fort Morgan, Colorado, Carroll Jay Pilcher of Seattle, Washington, Lloyd L. Pilcher of Seattle, Washington, and Ronald R. Pilcher and wife, Roxanne of West Chester, Ohio; one daughter, Coralee S. Pilcher of Boston, Massachusetts; 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 29, 2011, at the Herrmann Memorial Chapel in McCook with Rev. Steve Bales officiating. Interment will be 12:30 p.m. at Fort McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell, Nebraska.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and from 1 -6:00 p.m., on Sunday.

Memorials may be given in her name and left at the Herrmann Funeral Home.

Herrmann Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.