Rachel Ann Brandt

Rachel Ann Brandt was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho on July 11, 1937, the fourth of six children born to Rev. Harry & Mrs. Ida Kriefall. Rachel grew up in Havillah, Washington and graduated from Tonasket High School in 1955. She then attended Valparaiso University in Indiana and eventually completed her nurses training at Emanuel Lutheran Hospital in Portland, Oregon. It was during nursing school that Rachel met Dwaine Brandt while he was teaching and coaching at Concordia College, Portland. They married April 15 (Palm Sunday) of 1962. They had three sons: Jonathan, Timothy and Michael. Rachel later attended the University of Portland, completing her Master degree in Nursing in 1983. She then worked for two years at Whiteriver Apache Indian Hospital in Arizona. Rachel had many artistic and craft interests, including toll painting, clay sculpture, knitting, sewing, and stained glass. She loved music and played piano and organ. She also loved outdoor activities including rowing, camping, exploring paths less travelled around the US, and much world travel, including extended stays in Germany, Latvia, Slovakia, and China, among other countries. She also managed real estate, including designing and rehabilitating many residences all over the Northwest. Above all, she valued time with family. Rachel is survived by her husband Dwaine, brothers Ted (Shirley) and Dan (Carol), her three sons Jonathan (Renatta), Timothy, and Michael (Annie), grandchildren Henry, Betsy, Naomi, Patricio, Alexander, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Luther, and sisters Eunice and Retta. A memorial service will be held at Living Savior Lutheran Church in Tualatin, Oregon on July 17, 2021 at 11 am, followed by a luncheon reception in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts and donations may be made to the Oregon Food Bank (give.oregonfoodbank.org) and Meals on Wheels People (mowp.org). Rachel had a strong faith and a gentle giving spirit until the end. God gave her the grace to live on this earth for 83 years, 11 months, and 27 days. We now commend her to God’s care and keeping.