"Leo and Theresa, Jason and Adrianne, and the entire Hamilton family, I?m so very sorry to read of the passing of your mother. Please know that you will all be in my thoughts and prayers. May the wonderful memories you share of your mom bring you comfort in your sadness. God be with you all. Love, Sara (Ulses) Brinker (Cousin of Theresa and classmate of Jason)"
In loving memory of
C. Rachel Hamilton
April 15, 1932 - April 15, 2018
A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday at 11:30 AM at St. John's Catholic Church in Bancroft. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 PM on Friday at Oakcrest Funeral Services of Bancroft with a rosary beginning at 4 PM.
Catherine Rachel Hamilton was born April 15, 1932, on the family farm northwest of Algona. She was the youngest of eight children of Lorenz and Eva (Lentsch) Gisch. She died on her 86th birthday at Accura Healthcare, Bancroft where she had lived for the last two years.
Rachel graduated from St. Cecelia Academy in 1950 and then studied piano and vocal music at Clarke College in Dubuque, IA.
She was united in marriage to Luke Hamilton on February 21, 1955 at St. Cecelia Catholic Church, Algona. They farmed and raised turkeys in the Lotts Creek area until 1961 when they moved to their present farm southwest of Bancroft. Rachel loved country living and being a farm wife. She enjoyed working alongside her husband and raising a family on the farm. Her favorite window was in her kitchen where she had a view to watch Luke and the boys. She nurtured and fueled her family with her home cooking. Every year she tended a large flower and vegetable garden and apple orchard. The abundance of produce was canned or frozen and shared.
She was a member of St. John Catholic Church and Altar Society. Prayer and saying the rosary was a daily practice. She valued and supported Catholic education. Every year she contributed many caramel apples, crafts and sewing items to St. John Bazaar. She sewed and made quilts for her children and grandchildren.
Rachel researched the family genealogy. Her father, Lorenz Gisch, emigrated to the US from Austria-Hungary through Ellis Island which she visited in her travels.
She is survived by her eleven children, Jean (Richard E.) Leute of East Dubuque, IL, Helen Hamilton of Cincinnati, OH, Alice (William) Medlyn of Rochester, MN, Paul (Cheryl) of Bancroft, Leo (Dr. Theresa) of Algona, Mark (Diane) Hamilton of Ankeny, David (Ann) Hamilton of Glidden, John (Angela) Hamilton of Cedar Falls, Philip (Marcia) Hamilton of Bettendorf, Carl (Jodi) Hamilton of Boone, and Jason (Adrienne) Hamilton of Fort Dodge. She is also survived by 29 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; two brothers-in-law, Harold Hamilton of Minneapolis, MN, and Martin Hamilton of St. Charles, MO; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Luke, on August 4, 1983; brothers, John (Mary) Gisch, Larry (Nina) Gisch, and Barney (Irene) Gisch; and sisters Mary (Joe) Lichter, Fern (Bill) Specht, Dorothy (Wilfred) Kohlhaas, and Ruth (Duane) Arend.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Rachel's name to St John the Baptist Church or St Cecilia Church.
Tributes
"To all of the family. Sorry for loss of your loved one. Prayers for all.
Kenny & Mary Ann Studer"
"I will never forget the summer stays at the farm! Alice was just a baby. I helped with kids, learned to cook, bake, feed animals, bailed hay! So much fun!! RIP dear Godmother! Beverly Lichter Groh"
"To the entire Hamilton family I extend my deepest sympathies on the loss of Catherine. My thoughts and prayers are with you all."
"My thoughts and prayers to the Hamilton family on the loss of your Mom. May your happy memories bring you peace at this time. "
"So sorry for your loss and prayers and thinking of all of you at this time.."