James H. Rachel, age 90 of Maple Lake died Friday, January 15, 2010 at his home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 18, 2010 at St. Timothy Catholic Church, Maple Lake. Fr. Michael Izen will officiate and burial will be in St. Timothy Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. Sunday and 9-10 a.m. Monday at the Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Maple Lake. Parish Prayers will be held at 6:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Caring and Sharing Hands.

James Hubert Rachel was born March 29, 1919 in Albion Township to William and Pauline (Dircks) Rachel. He married Bernice Vokaty on July 19, 1941 at St. Timothy Catholic Church. James worked as a crop and dairy farmer before going to work for Wright County S.W.C.S., where he planted more than 1 million trees in Wright County in an effort to stop soil erosion. He was a member of St. Timothy Catholic Church, where he formerly served on the church council and was in the Knights of Columbus. He was also a former member of the Maple Lake School Board. James enjoyed 500, gin rummy, schnaust, bridge at the Senior Center, dancing, gardening, tree planting, farming, playing pool, listening to old time music and working his horses, Mike and Mack.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Bernice; children, Kenneth (Emily) of Maple Lake, Gerald (Kaye) of Rogers, Susan (Bob) Kuhlmann of Buffalo, Joyce (Tom) Eckdale of Georgetown, TX, Sally Klein (Doug Bischoff) of St. Cloud, Mary (Bob) Kolb of Buffalo, Barbara (Dick VanBeusekom) of Buffalo, Carol (Al) Hoekstra of Buffalo and Dave (Anne-Claire) of Shakopee; 21 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, William and Jack; and sisters, Hilde Vieau and Pearl Cruikshank.

Pallbearers will be Don Rachel, Brian Rachel, Kyle Rachel, Joshua Klein, Jeremy Klein, Dan Kuhlmann, Jami Schupp, Paul Eckdale and Nathan Schmitz. Marge Pavlik, organist, and the Resurrection Choir will provide the music for the service. Arrangements are entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care, Maple Lake.