Rachel Ann Gust was received into the Lord's hands Thursday, May 30.  Rachel was born June 21, 1931 to Herbert Edward and Lu Ella (Severson) Gust.   The Diefendorf family of Uncle Ed, Aunt Emma, and Cousin Oscar played a special role in her life.  Rachel was a cheerleader, clarinet player and in various clubs until she graduated from Verona High School in 1949.  While walking home one day, she spied a picture of a "handsome, young man" on her neighbor's shelf.  Although she said that she would never marry a farmer, she married that handsome, young man Harold Thomas Eichelkraut on April 7, 1951.  They honeymooned one night and returned to the Eichelkraut farm the next day to get the oats planted.  From there she became a key member of the chain of proud farmwomen to have helped sustain the farm for over 100 years.

During that time, she became the proud mother of 3 children: Deborah (Steven) Versnik, Harold Eichelkraut, Jr. (Jeannie Krueger), and Gregory Eichelkraut (Linda Becker).  Her role changed in 1975 as she became a secretary.  Harold and Rachel moved off the farm in 1977 to Verona.  In the 1980's, her computer was sold to Accurate Business Services and she went along with it until she retired in 1995.

Rachel was an active member of the Zwingli United Church of Christ in Paoli.  She served diligently on the Women's Guild, Altar Society, and typed up the Newsletter.  She was often a greeter in church and often baked terrific pies for church events.  Sometimes, eventually, the family even got to sample them.  Rachel expressed her artistic side as a seamstress, painting ceramic figures, and making home-made cards.  She was also very fond of chickens and Lawrence Welk.  Visitors to the house were often greeted with a warm smile, a caring hug, and a glass of wine.  Her humor was spritely with a slight hint of wit and sarcasm – when appropriate.  Her family received generous supplies of all of these – especially the babies and toddlers.

She is preceded in death by her parents Herb & Lu Ella, Husband Harold, Sr., Brother Kenneth (Skip) Gust, Sisters Phyllis (Gust) Nelson & June (Gust) Riedner and Son-in-Law Steven L. Versnik.  She is survived by Brother Bill Gust and his wife Barbara (Kahl), and Sister-in-Law Helen Gust.  Also surviving are her 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren along with numerous nephews and nieces.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at the Becker-Beal Funeral Home, 109 Greenway Cross, Belleville, WI with Rev. Susan Schneider-Adams officiating.

A visitation will precede the funeral service from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at the Becker-Beal Funeral Home in Belleville.

A memorial fund will be established.  Checks may be made out to the "Rachel Eichelkraut Memorial".