Rachel Ann Frerichs Obituary (1936 - 2020)

Rachel Ann Frerichs, 84 years of age, of Beatrice passed away at her home on Wednesday afternoon, December 30, 2020. She was born on November 29, 1936 at a farm near Archbold, Ohio to Ora and Irene (Rychener) Frey. Rachel graduated from Eastern Mennonite University and received her bachelor's degree in elementary education in 1962. She then taught first grade in the Washington DC area for 10 years before moving to Beatrice in 1972. Rachel and Norman Frerichs were married on January 17, 1981. Rachel had worked as a social worker counseling for court ordered re-unification of children and their parents. She had served the State of Nebraska as a foster parent for several children and continued relationships with them once out of her care. She was the first director for the Beatrice Day Care, a community outreach supported by the two Mennonite churches from 1974-1985. Rachel was an active member of the Beatrice Mennonite Church and had sung in the choir, acted as secretary, librarian, and historian, and participated in the Women's Mission Society and women's bible studies; and was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma sorority. She enjoyed reading, sewing, gardening, singing in church, and collecting angels. The safety and well-being of young children was always critically important in everything Rachel did throughout her life. She truly had the heart of a servant always thinking of others. Survivors include husband Norman; children Jason Frerichs and his family from Columbus, NE and Erin Bench and her family from Marysville, KS; and her brothers Marvin (Delphine) Frey of Ft. Wayne, Indiana and Paul (Joan) Frey of Santa Fe, NM. She was preceded in death by her parents; and infant sister Thelma Frey, and sisters Eunice Dueck Jordan and Phyllis Brunk. Memorial Celebration of Life services will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at the Beatrice Mennonite Church with Pastor Tim Amor officiating. The service will be Livestreamed on the church Facebook page. Masks and social distancing are required at the service and casual attire is acceptable. Burial of her ashes will take place at a later date. There will be no viewing or visitation as cremation has taken place. A memorial has been established to the Beatrice Mennonite Church and the MCC with the funeral home in charge. Sign Rachel's online guest book and view her video tribute when completed at www.ghchapel.com. These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.