Rachel Susanna Dietrich

PLAINVIEWRachel Susanna Dietrich, 75 of Plainview, died Thursday, January 1, 2015 at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus in Rochester after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.Rachel was born November 28, 1939 at home on the farm to Meinert and Amanda (Strehlow) Nienow. She grew up with her two older brothers, Paul and Joseph, and graduated from Lewiston High School in 1957. While visiting a cousin in California in 1962, she was introduced to Gerald Dietrich. She and Jerry were married on June 3, 1962. As newlyweds, they lived in California until Jerry was discharged from the military. Shortly after, they moved to Ohio and began raising their three children. Most weekends were spent camping and spending time on the river. The family moved to Altura in 1977, and Rachel began her career as a bank teller at Altura State Bank on May 1, 1978. She was an outgoing people-person who loved visiting with customers at work. Rachel taught her children and grandchildren the importance of money management. She was known for stretching her dollars and shopping for bargains. She retired on November 1, 2010.In her spare time, Rachel enjoyed watching NASCAR, especially her favorite racer, Tony Stewart. She also liked cooking shows and reading autobiographies. Family and faith were important to Rachel. She was a member of Our Savior's Moravian Church in Altura, where she taught Sunday school, sung in the choir, and helped with funeral lunches.She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Gerald "Jerry" Dietrich of Plainview; children, Wendy (Tim) Murphy of Altura, Todd (Bernadine) Dietrich of Hokah, and Mark Dietrich of Eau Claire, WI; grandchildren, Eric (fiancée Heather Rolfing) Hilke, Jenna Hilke, Shelby Hilke, Seth Hilke, Garrett Hilke, and Bryce Hilke; and brother, Joe (Susie) Nienow of Winona. Rachel was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Paul (Dorothy) Nienow.Visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m., Sunday, January 4, 2015 at Our Savior's Moravian Church in Altura. Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Monday, January 5 at church with visitation one hour prior. Reverend Dave Sobek will officiate. Burial will follow at Bethany Moravian Cemetery in Altura.Please share a memory of Rachel with her family and view her video tribute at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/555061