Obituary for Philippines RPCV Rachel Blauch



Rachel Blauch, 102 years of age from Minden, Nebraska died on Sunday, October 28, 2007 at the Bethany Home in Minden. In 1964, she entered the Peace Corps and went to the Philippines where she taught English in a normal school and sewing in a leprosarium. She returned to Nebraska and taught in Republican Valley until retiring to Minden in 1973. Rachel was an avid reader and traveled extensively not only in this country and the Philippines, but also Europe, the British Isles, Australia, and New Zealand.

Obituary for Philippines RPCV Rachel Blauch

Obituary: Rachel Blauch


By News-Times Staff

Minden resident, 102

Rachel Blauch, 102 years of age from Minden, Nebraska died on Sunday, October 28, 2007 at the Bethany Home in Minden. Rachel was born on May 17, 1905 in Trumbull, Nebraska to William and Belle (Hadley) Talbert. The family homesteaded briefly in Colorado before moving to Minden when Rachel was twelve. After her graduation from Minden High School in 1924, she taught in Districts #31 and #8. On December 31, 1926, she married Glen Blauch in Holdrege, and they made their home in Blue Hill until moving to York in 1942.

After her husband's death in 1955, Rachel enrolled at Kearney State College. She taught in Thayer for a while and then returned to Kearney and received her degree in 1961. While working toward her degree, she served as a housemother at Green Terrace Hall. She taught school at Wood River and Alma after graduation.

In 1964, she entered the Peace Corps and went to the Philippines where she taught English in a normal school and sewing in a leprosarium. She returned to Nebraska and taught in Republican Valley until retiring to Minden in 1973. Rachel was an avid reader and traveled extensively not only in this country and the Philippines, but also Europe, the British Isles, Australia, and New Zealand. While in York she served as president of the PTA as well as the Women's Society of Christian Service of the United Methodist Church. She was active in the Minden community. She was a member of the Westminster United Presbyterian Church and the Minden Lioness Club. She moved to the Bethany Home in Minden in 1995. Memorials are suggested to the Nebraska Public Radio, Westminster United Presbyterian Church or the Bethany Home both in Minden and can be sent to the Minden Exchange Bank and Trust, at 448 N. Minden, Minden, NE 68959.

Survivors include three daughters, Barbara Walch of Palos Verdes, CA, Diane Foster of Wyncote, PA, and Glenda Blauch of Minden; nine grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren and one sister, Harriet Maase of Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is preceded in death by her husband, one grandson, three brothers and two sisters.

Rachel donated her body to science and graveside services will be at a later date at the Trumbull Cemetery. Layton-Craig Funeral Home in Minden is in charge of arrangements.

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: November, 2007; Peace Corps Philippines; Directory of Philippines RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Philippines RPCVs; Obituaries

When this story was posted in November 2007, this was on the front page of PCOL:




Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers

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