Rachel E. Schildberg, 78, a 25-year resident of Oak Harbor, died at Careage of Whidbey Monday, July 26, 2004.

Mrs. Schildberg was born in Laura, Ohio, a farming community near Dayton, to Albert Rohrer and Elsie (Hoke) Rohrer. She was one of seven children. Rachel attended Messiah College in Pennsylvania, completing her education at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, OH, to become a registered nurse in 1950.

Moving to California in 1952, Rachel worked in various hospitals in Ontario, Upland and Montclair; she especially enjoyed working in surgery. In 1979, Rachel moved to Washington state, working most recently at United General Hospital, Sedro Woolley, in Outpatient Surgery. Rachel (or “Cupcake”—named for the nursing cap she wore) retired after forty years of nursing and has seen many changes in the medical field over the years.

Married in 1953 to a contractor, Rachel raised five children. She is survived by three daughters, Pamela Mello of Hesperia, Calif., Carol Driscoll and Cynthia Weir, both of Carson City, Nev.; one son, Jeff Schildberg, of Tucson, Ariz.; one step-son, Jeane Schildberg of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; three sisters, Marjorie Kott and Dorcas Mitchell of Oak Harbor and Anna Mae Kohler of Ashland, Ohio; also, numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Paul, Levi and Donald Rohrer.

Rachel was an active member of Family Bible Church. She enjoyed gardening and stamping; she was a terrific bread maker — her cinnamon rolls were the best! Rachel enjoyed traveling; she visited various places in the US, Canada, Mexico, Hong Kong and China.

A memorial service will be Tuesday, Aug. 3, at 10 a.m. at Family Bible Church. Arrangements and cremation under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.