Rachel's Family Fund

Friends,

It is with the deepest sadness and most terrible pain that I tell you that Rachel went to be home in heaven this past weekend.  This is absolutely the most difficult time in our family's history that we've had to deal with.  The amount of love and support that we've had during this time has been amazing.


Everyone knows how Rachel just had an ability to light up a room and give you a sense of true happiness.  She was geniune, loving, kind, sweet, and true to herself.  

If you knew her for even a minute, you understood her passion to make people laugh and to laugh at herself and with you.  Her unique sense of humor added life to everything she did and was infectious to those around her.


She knew how to be the life of a party and made sure you were noticed.  She loved giving people nicknames, inside jokes, and the outside jokes, too.  She also loved Michigan State University and being a Spartan.  Here we are at one of those games!  Her roommates had to watch some of the Final Four games in the library so she could study and still watch.


She was also one of the hardest working students we know.  She took pride in her school work and her employment.  She was driven and desired to make it with the marketing team for the Detroit Tigers.  She aimed high and put 100% into everything she did.  Anything less than perfect was unacceptable.


She loved her friends and family dearly and to the core.  Our Mom and Dad were everything to her.  Dad would take her to places at her (almost) every demand and Mom would be there to make sure they were being safe.  During this time, we've never known there was such love and support for Rachel and our entire family.  


Rachel was a strong, independent, and spirited person.  For many years she played fastpitch softball and found herself at the Big League Softball World Series.  She was an incredible athlete and definitely help to carry the team morale.  Her energy and spirit helped her teams on to many victories, including a 2000 State of Michigan Softball Championship and a 2004 State of Michigan Softball Championship.


Rachel, your beauty, your humor, your light, it will stay with us forever.  From your love of possums to your excitement of Minions, your passions ran wide and deep.  We look forward to being able to reunite in heaven and tell you everything we can while resting in the glory of God.  You will be greatly missed but never separated from us.  


The doctors of Bronson and the teams of nurses that helped Rachel during her stay were amazing.  They would come in and get to know who she was and tell her everything they were going to do to her.  

My family is suffering hardships and many of you have asked how you can help.  While we obviously need prayer for strength, peace, and comfort, we will always accept aid, whatever it may be.  We have started this gofundme in order to help my family with the costs of medical bills and funeral arrangments.  We hate to ask for monetary gifts but know that there is a need.  Please consider a donation of any amount to help us and anything that goes above our actual needs will go to a good cause or scholarship that Rachel would have wanted.  

Visitation is set for Wednesday, July 1, 2015 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm EST.  
Funeral Services will take place on Thursday, July 2, 2015 at 11:00am with an open visitation before the service from 10:00am to 11:00am.  
Private interment will follow the service.
Langeland Funeral Homes
3926 S 9th St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49009

We don't think Rachel would want anyone to be dressed in suit and tie or dresses for her funeral. If you plan to come, please come dressed in as much Tigers gear as you can, at least a T-shirt.  

Thank you for the time you took to read about Rachel and to get to know her more.  We thank you for any amount of time, energy, or money you are able to donate during this difficult time.  We know she was so loved and you all have shown that through your concern on Facebook and in person.

Rachel would never want you to remember her as you've heard about her or seen her in the past week.  So here's a great way to look back at the woman we all knew and loved.