Rachel Birkenbuel

Rachel Birkenbuel passed at Valley Nursing in Billings Saturday afternoon at the age of 83.

Rachel was born a twin in Great Fall Montana in 1932, her early years spent in the windy city on the Rocky Mountain front in a close family of siblings, celebrated Swedes and lumber sales. Upon graduation she attended Stanford University for a year before returning to Missoula to finish her degree in Mathematics, following graduation she married and was stationed in various locations with her husband Bob LeClaire during his years in the US Army. In the early Fifties she and Bob returned to Montana settling in Billings to raise a family. She was active with the Tri-delta sorority, Junior League, and Billings symphony.

Rachel's life was full, she was impulsive, fun loving, unafraid to turn on a dime, change direction, get out of a bad situation and start something new. She didn't look back with regret but celebrated the moment at hand. Rachel reinvented herself many times over, she was housewife raising two boys Kirk and Bruce on Bridger Square, she was a single mom, a teacher at Yellowstone Boys Ranch and in the late 70's she became the first building manager at the new First Northwestern Bank building. Upon moving to Great Falls in the 80's she married Jimmy Birkenbuel and became a snowbird, an outdoorswoman and grandparent.

The millennium found her returning to Shadow Place in Billings making new friends in her old town where she played bridge, pulled slots and walked dogs. These well-traveled paths lead to West Park Village and ultimately Valley Nursing Home.

Rachel always felt her greatest accomplishments were her many and varied friends, She had a particularly strong bond with her twin sister Ruth spending many summers at the family stomping grounds at Placid Lake. Relationships she formed spanned many generations, she was just as comfortable with the former neighborhood kids thirty years her junior as she was with her numerous Bridge partners. Her legacy was that of a free spirit, a neighborhood confidant, a friend, and a cheerleader for a life without illusion.

Rachel is survived by her twin sister Ruth Talcott (San Marcos) Son Kirk and Elaine LeClaire (Rodeo) and Grandson Travis Birkenbuel (Great Falls).

Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be 1pm Friday at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary.