Rachel Mae Kertis, age 85 of Beaver Dam, passed away at home on Monday, April 15, 2024.

A memorial gathering for Rachel will take place on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, 511 S. Spring St., Beaver Dam, from 10:00 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 p.m. Inurnment will take place at St. John's Cemetery in Kellner at a later date.

Rachel was born in Wisconsin Rapids on March 12, 1939, the daughter of Alexander and Dorothy (Johnson) Arnold. She graduated from Assumption High School in Wisconsin Rapids. She was united in marriage to her husband, Gilbert Kertis on February 20, 1960. She worked at JC Penney until her retirement and was a proud member of the Norris Street circle of friends. She was the heart of her family and loved vacations with them in Eagle River.  She especially cherished the time spent with favorite granddaughter, Katie and her new husband Mark, and favorite grandson, Joey. In her free time, she enjoyed baking cookies and shopping with her daughters, and could often be found quilting, scrapbooking, and crafting handmade cards. Rachel was a devout Catholic and was known for her caring, kind, and loving nature.

Rachel is survived by her children, Kasey (Steve) Herbst of Prairie du Sac, WI and Karmen (Pat) Connelly of Eden Prairie, MN; grandchildren, Katie (Mark) Ehresman of Waconia, MN and Joey Connelly of Crookston, MN; siblings, Sandy (Horst) Stasiak and Steve Arnold; brothers-in-law, Richard (Kathy) Kertis, James (Jeanette) Kertis, Dale Kertis; sister-in-law, Donna Kertis; and further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, neighbors, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gilbert in 2020; sister, Mickie Whyte; brother, Calvin Arnold; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Steve and Amanda Kertis; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Laverne and Carol Kertis; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Birdine and Donald Courter; niece, Tina Pearson; and other relatives.

Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 135 Keller Blvd., Beaver Dam is honored to be serving the family.