Obituary of Rachel I. Ireland

Rachel I. Ireland 82 of Iowa City died peacefully Wednesday October 31, 2012 at Solon Care Center in Solon, IA. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 7, 2012, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services on Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will take place at the Long Creek Cemetery near Danville, Iowa at a later date. In lieu of flowers Rachel has selected four organizations to direct gifts toward. United Methodist Committee on Relief, Heifer Project International, Bread for the World and The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Rachel was born February 27, 1930, in Farmington, IA the daughter of Horace and Ellen (McCune) Ireland. She was a graduate of Iowa State Teachers College (now The University of Northern Iowa). Rachel began her career as a elementary school teacher. Sometime later she realized her true passion was Christian Education. She worked as Director of Christian Education at First Methodist Church in Cedar Falls, IA and later at First United Methodist Church in Burlington, IA. In later years she became a Diaconal Minister and teacher/facilitator for the Academy for Spiritual Formation. Rachel is survived by her sister Betty Lundquist of Iowa City, IA; niece Ann Lundquist of Drake, CO; nephew Gary (Barb) Lundquist of Iowa City, IA; stepbrother Ed (Hildegard) Place of Danville, IA; niece Monica (Errol) Earlington of North Charleston, SC; sister-in-law Mary Ireland of Wilmington, DE; niece Sharon (Leo) Matos of Wilmington, DE; niece Cathy Ireland of Baltimore, MD; three great nieces, two great nephews and one great-great nephew. Rachel was preceded in death by her father, Horace; mother, Ellen; stepmother, Mary; stepmother, Callie; brother, Robert; sister, Margaret and brother-in-law, L. Harold Lundquist. Rachel will be remembered as a warm, wonderful and inspiring person who was loved by her family and friends both here in the US and the UK.