On June 15, 1911, Rachel was born to Louis and Agnes Erbe in New Holstein, Wisconsin.
She graduated from New Holstein High School with the class of 1928 and to date, was the school’s oldest living graduate.
After high school, she attended the Conservatory of Music at Lawrence College, Appleton and in 1933 graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, with a bachelors degree in microbiology. Following graduation, she was employed at the height of the Great Depression at Wern Farms in Waukesha as a technician.
Rachel married Milton J. Berg on May 12, 1937 in New Holstein, WI. From that union a baby girl, Mary Rae was adopted in 1941 and from this darling child, they received four grandchildren and six great grandchildren and three great, great grandchildren. In 1942 Nancy Louise was born and in 1946, James Louis was born and gave them two grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Rachel became a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and was a member of its United Women’s Organization, Elizabeth Kinley Circle and was the Junior Choir Director for 8 years. During those years as choir director she encouraged, praised and sometimes scolded approximately 150 northside and French Island students to do their best to fill the then new St. Luke’s Fellowship Hall with much loved and favorite church music with their young voices.
Rachel was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 212 since 1929. She loved to golf, wrote poetry, loved painting and flower gardening.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Milton, in 1991, two daughters; Nancy Rash in 1995 and Mary Schoechert in 2007; and a sister Luella Evjen in 1996. Survivors include son, James L. Berg (Jill) of La Crosse; son-in-law, Richard Schoechert, Port Edwards, WI; six grandchildren, Lori, Patty, John and Brian, Kristin and Karla, eight great grandchildren and three great, great grandchildren. She is also survived by her nephew, Robert Evjen of New Holstein, WI and his family; her niece, Susan (Teachout) Gilster of Sparta, WI and her family, and her God Daughter, Sybil Harrison of Hattiesburg, MS.
A memorial service will be held at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 1022 Caledonia St. La Crosse, WI on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 2:00 pm.  A public visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the church.  Pastor Scott McMurray will officiate.  A private graveside service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to The Salvation Army or the donor’s charity of choice.
The family wishes to acknowledge by their thanks the wonderful care given by the staff at Hillview Healthcare Facility.