Rachel Huser, age 88, of Sac City, IA, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 6, 2018, at Park View Rehabilitation Center in Sac City.

   Rachel Rau Knoess was born on January 23, 1930, to parents George and Elizabeth (Pierce) Knoess at their home in Barnum, IA. She was baptized and confirmed at the First Presbyterian Church and grew up going to school in Barnum. Rachel graduated with the Barnum High Class of 1947.

   After graduating high school, Rachel continued her education at Iowa State University graduating with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics. She loved to golf and lettered in the sport while attending ISU.  Rachel was a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority. After finishing college, she taught school in Lytton, IA, for several years.

   On July 8, 1951, Rachel married the love of her life, John “Ted” Huser, in Barnum at the First Presbyterian Church. This union was blessed with four children: David, Paul, Tim and Rebecca. Rachel chose to continue her career part-time as a substitute teacher as she raised her children and was the official bookkeeper for the family farm.

   Rachel enjoyed many things in life, her faith and church being a top priority. She served as an Elder for many years.  Rachel was the driving force for many church bazaars and loved creating items for this. She was involved in many groups and organizations including PEO, the Red Hat Society, Eastern Star, ISU Extension Advisory Council, and served on the board for the Sac Housing Corporation.   She also received the ISU Alumni Medal in 1986, was the County Home Economist and judged the sewing and baking entries at several county fairs.

   Rachel loved to play cards.  She would play bridge 2-3 times a week with different groups at the Sac Country Club or with the Hospital Auxilliary.  When family got together, there was always a game of cards – 5 Crowns, Descending Spades or cribbage. Rachel enjoyed spending time at the family cabin at Twin Lakes.  The cabin (the land it sits on) has been in Rachel’s family since 1933.  Over the years family and friends have made many great memories there.  Photos and photo albums were a big part of Rachel’s life.  She always had a disposable camera handy to document events and capture pictures of family and friends.  Rachel was a card carrying member of the Hallmark Keepsake Club and owned ornaments for every season – especially Christmas.  She had a fun time garage-saling whether she was out buying new ‘treasures’ or hosting a sale herself.  Rachel enjoyed traveling the world with Ted while he was President of the American Soybean Association.  She was an ISU fan through and through and was happy to see her children and several of her grandchildren attend the university and carry on the family tradition of being a Cyclone. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

   Those left to cherish her memory include her children, David (Gail) Huser of Waverly, IA, Paul (Leigh Ann) Huser of Sac City, IA, Tim (Marti) Huser of Sac City, IA, and Rebecca (David) Barclay of Story City, IA; grandchildren Adam Kimball, Holly (Mike) DiMarco, Jillian Huser, Chloe (Jim) Wallace, Derek Huser, Hannah Huser, Nicole Huser, Ross Barclay, and John Barclay; great grandchildren Olive and Willow Wallace; many extended family members and friends.

Rachel was preceded in death by her parents, George and Elizabeth Knoess; husband Ted Huser; brother Philip Knoess; nephew John Knoess; and an aunt, Carrie Pierce.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS the family requests that memorials in Rachel’s honor be made to:

First Presbyterian Church

812 Audubon Street

Sac City, Iowa 50583