Rachel Lea Schommer, 49, was born December 21, 1969 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her birth name was Shannon. She was adopted at the age of 1 year 11 months and was baptized at St. Michaels Lutheran Church in Roseville and given her current name. She was confirmed at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin, MN where she spent most of her adolescent years. She graduated from Austin High School and later receive a diploma from the school of cosmetology from Riverland Community College. As a youth, she was active in 4-H – winning an award for her pumpkin cheesecake, acted in her high school play, loved music, dabbled in art, collected stamps, rode horse, went on family camping trips, and developed lasting friendships. During a family vacation while at Daytona Beach in Florida, while her mother and brothers weren’t looking apparently an entire male volleyball team was, because to Rachel’s delight they surrounded her for a group photo of them with the bathing beauty. After graduating from high school, she accepted a position as live-in nanny for an eight-year old child with spina bifida who was totally incapacitated. Rachel’s immense love for children along with her signature compassion for others allowed her to develop a communication technique with the child through eye movement and slight gestures and together they would carry on lengthy discussions. She worked briefly as a hairdresser. She eventually moved to Rochester, MN where she worked at Wendy’s and later became employed at Target. There she worked her way into a management position and transferred laterally to Colorado Springs, CO where she continued for another 10 years at Target before accepting a position with Fazoli’s Italian Restaurant where she worked until a few months ago when she became too disabled to work due to diabetes of which she had suffered for many years. Rachel had a great sense of humor which endeared her to everyone who knew her, always willing to laugh at herself and with others she was a hoot to be around. Though she could barely hold a note she would eagerly sing karaoke with friends just for fun. She attended as many music concerts as she could afford, and during her free time she loved to play on-line video games, such as Farmville. She spent most of her childhood on a farm in southern Minnesota where she hated to bail hay, but loved to cook, bake and play with kittens. Once she became a mother, her daughter became the center of her life along with each and every one of her grandchildren who she cherished deeply. The best tribute a mother can receive is from her child and in Rebekka’s own words she says this about her mother: “My mother was always there for me and my babies (her grandbabies). She was the best mother and grandmother and had the biggest heart of anyone I know. She was kind, strong, smart, independent, had a heart of gold, and was a goddess in my world.” Rachel’s genuine compassion for others endeared her all who knew her. She will be sadly missed by her daughter, Rebekka Schommer (James), and her grandsons: Gage, Josiah, Zaire, and Mikali. She will be especially missed by close friends: Amie Allen, Jason Zich, Michael VanPelt, Megan and Branden Watson and their son Tallen, and Randy Sikkink. She is preceded in death by her grandson, Aadan; her grandfather, Lloyd Schommer, Sr; her grandmother; Muriel Sheets; and her godfather, Ron Miller. She is survived by her parents: Lloyd Schommer, Jr. (Bev); Susan Carlson (Steve); brothers: Ty Schommer (Lori) and nieces and nephews: Naimy Weis (Levi), Alhrik, Gannon and Adeline Schommer; Toby Schommer (Jennifer) and nieces and nephews: Hannah, Maggie, Jacob, and Lucas Schommer; Grandparents: Candida Schommer and Devan Sheets; and godmother: Elaine Miller; uncles: David Schommer, James Schommer, Daniel Schommer, and Joseph Schommer (Hong Ying), and Kevin Reynolds (Jacqueline);  in addition to many cousins.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Monday, October 14^th at 11:30am following a Family Visitation at Return to Nature Chapel West located at 11 North 22^nd Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904. Rachel loved the color Purple; family asks guests to wear her favorite color. We’re celebrating her life not her death.

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