Rachel Marie Martell, age 89, of Menasha, passed away on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Valley VNA in Neenah. She was born on May 10, 1929 in Neenah to the late William and Antoinette (Gruber) Klatt. Rachel graduated from Neenah High School and Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, and took pride in her many years of service as a Registered Nurse at Theda Clark Memorial Hospital. On December 2, 1950, she married Elmer Martell at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Neenah. Rachel and Elmer shared 64 years of marriage, until Elmer preceded her in death on January 15, 2015.

Rachel served the community by volunteering for the Red Cross Blood Bank. She had a deep love of animals and adopted many throughout her lifetime. Her beloved poodle, Minka, remains behind in caring hands. Rachel took great pride in the achievements of her children and grandchildren. Rachel was a self-taught and accomplished seamstress, knitter, and crocheter. Rachel loved knitting mittens. Family members were well supplied, and many pairs of mittens went to needy families. Rachel enjoyed family vacations to her cabin on the Pine River in northern Wisconsin, enjoying nature and the woods, fishing for northern pike, berry picking, walking, and reading and relaxing.

Rachel is survived by her seven children and spouses: Margaret (Paul) Reichert, William (Rose) Martell, Barbara (Gary) Heidmann, Patricia (Steven Cleary) Martell-Cleary, Joseph (Julia) Martell, Karen (Guy) Smith, and Thomas (Kathy Kinney) Martell; grandmother to: Robin (Samantha) Synhorst, Charles (Kali) Kellerman, Rachel Reichert, Anemone (Scott) Beaulier, Daniel (Anna) Martell, Peter (Beth) Martell; Madeline and Clare Martell, and Cora and Gavin Martell; great-grandmother to: Vitoria and Marjorie Synhorst, Lilla, Roma and Maddux Beaulier, Greyson Martell, Ethan, Brandt and Isabella Martell, and Olive and Romy Kellerman.

She is further survived by brother Fred Klatt, sister Lois Klatt, and sisters in law Linda Klatt and Lynn Klatt.

In addition to her parents and husband, Elmer, Rachel was preceded in death by her brothers, David and Daniel, as well as sisters Marion, Ruth, and Susan. Step-mother, Viola Klatt also predeceased her.

A memorial service for Rachel will be held at 4:30 PM on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at St. Patrick Catholic Church (324 Nicolet Blvd., Menasha). Visitation will be held from 3:30 PM until the time of mass. Internment will occur at a later date at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Menasha, Wisconsin.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be donated to Oshkosh Area Humane Association and Fox Valley Humane Association.

Rachel’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude for loving and devoted care to Lisa and Nicole of Ascension Hospice, the staff of Valley VNA Senior Care, and to her special nephew, John Martell, for his many visits and the happiness he gave her.

“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart. I’ll stay there forever”. A.A. Milne