Martha Rach

Martha Lea Rach, 90, Staples, died Friday, September 21st at her home in Staples.    

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 AM, Wednesday, September 26  at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Staples, with Fr. Arlie Sowada officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 PM, Tuesday, September 25  at Brenny Funeral Home in Staples, with a prayer service at 7 PM and visitation will continue for one hour prior to the Mass on Wednesday. Burial will be at Evergreen Hill Cemetery, Staples. 

Martha Lea Webber was born on April 27, 1928 at Verndale, Minnesota, daughter of Joseph and Julia (Horn) Webber.  She grew up and was educated at Verndale, graduating from Verndale High School in 1946.  She was united in marriage with Herman Charles Rach on October 14, 1946 at Verndale.  They made their home in Staples where she was a wife and homemaker. Then she started her working career as a waitress, then as a secretary at Barker and Barrett. From there she worked as a teller at Staples State Bank, where she started as an insurance agent through the bank.  She bought the Barker and Barrett Agency in the early 1970’s and became owner/operator of Rach Insurance.  She also did tax preparation work out of her office in Staples, which she continued to do after retiring from the insurance business.  Her husband, Herman, died on September 5, 1989. 

Martha was extremely involved in her community until the time of her death.  She worked with Meals on Wheels, the Senior Citizen’s Center, Council on Aging, Catholic Diocese and "Mission Work” at the Grand Casino in Mille Lacs.  She enjoyed bowling, playing Bridge, knitting and crocheting. 

Survivors include, her children: Becky (Glen) Hasselberg of Staples, MN, Tom Rach of Cyrus, MN, Tim (Cathy) Rach of Alberta, MN, Douglas (Billie Jo) Rach of Breezy Point, MN, Joan (Dean) Holmberg of Staples, MN, Kenneth (Darca) Rach of Plant City, FL, and Julie (Pete) Ohr of Pine River, MN; loved as a daughter: Janice (Jeff) Barron of Staples, MN; 22 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren; two brothers: Walter “Buzzy” (Doris) Webber of Lake Elmo, MN and Rollin (Faye) Webber of Auburn, WA; sister-in-law: Marjorie Rach of Wadena, MN; and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents: Joseph and Julia; siblings: Doris, Clifford, Mary, Iris, Helen, Esther, Manny, Agnes and the twins: Rodger and Baby Boy; daughter-in-law: Patti Rach; granddaughter: Angel; and great -grandson: Alan. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel of Staples.