Rachel Poppe Olin

1920 – 2017

Rachel Florentine Poppe Olin, 96, of Ashland died Monday, January 2, 2017, at Lutheran Village.

Rachel was born May 27, 1920 in New Bremen , Ohio, to Lewis J. C. and Clara L. Poppe ( nee Dicke) . She was a graduate of New Bremen High School and attended The Ohio State University. During World War II, Rachel was employed in industry at Columbus, Ohio, supporting the war effort. Her primary occupation, however, was always the care of her home and family.

Rachel was a member of Christ Community Evangelical Free Church in Savannah. Prior to this, she was a long term member of the First Presbyterian Church of Ashland, where she participated in the choir and in women’s circle. She expressed her dedication to Christian missions there through her work on the Missions Committee. This commitment continued in later years as a member of the Gideon’s International Auxiliary, and as a Co-worker with the Missionaries of Charity. She supported the work of this order, (founded by St. Teresa of Calcutta) as the founding hostess for Gabriel’s Workshop, making materials for use in spreading the Gospel to children in the poorest areas of the world. Rachel’s love for all children, and especially for those in her family, was at the center of her life.

On Dec. 27, 1940, Rachel married Harold George Olin, who preceded her in death. She is survived by two brothers, Carl J. (Dorothy) Poppe of Carlsbad, CA, and Paul W. (Carol) Poppe of Edmunds , WA, and a sister, Ruth W. (Vernon) Kuck of New Bremen, Ohio. Also surviving are her children, John (Sandra) Olin of Arcadia, FL; Mary (Michael) Murphy of Williamston, MI; James (Jane) Olin of Henryville, IN; and Jane (Thomas) Jacques of Ashland, OH; as well as 9 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held, Friday, January 6, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in the Christ United Methodist Church, 1140 Claremont Avenue, Ashland, Ohio 44805 with Rev. Dr. Allan Bevere officiating. Interment will follow in the Ashland Cemetery. Friends may call Thursday, January 5, 2017 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Ashland Care Center, 119 Sloan Avenue, Ashland, Ohio 44805 or to Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 5, Ashland Ohio 44805.

For those who may not be able to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home’s website at denbowfh.com

Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home and Crematory is handling the arrangements.

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