Rachel Marie Skaalen passed away on September 28, 2020, at the age of 95 years old at the Gundersen Harmony Care Center. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 2, 2020, at 11 a.m. at the Greenfield Lutheran Church in Harmony, Minn., with Rev. Rolf Svanoe officiating. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Burial will be in the Greenfield Cemetery in Harmony. Lindstrom Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Due to regulations, only the west church entrance will be utilized, face coverings are required, and social distancing practiced.
Rachel was born Rachel Marie Clifford on June 29, 1925, in Easton, Hampshire, England, to George and Marie Clifford. Rachel was baptized at St Mary’s Church of Easton and was confirmed in Winchester Cathedral by the Bishop of Winchester. Rachel was educated in England and graduated from secretarial school, and then worked as a civil servant for the Inland Revenue, Grade 2. During World War II, she met and married Leonard D. Skaalen of Boyd, Minn., on February 23, 1945. Leonard was with the finance department of the 9th Infantry Division of the United State Army. Rachel and Leonard met by chance during a dance put on by the U.S. and British Armies, entitled “Combined Operation Dance” to encourage cooperation between the forces. Leonard was selected to represent the U.S. Army as “Uncle Sam” and Rachel was selected to represent the British forces as “Rule Britannia.” The event was captured on film by Movietown News.
After the war, they lived in Boyd for the first five years of their lives together, then moved to Rushford, Minn., where Leonard became employed with the local bank. Leonard and Rachel moved to Spring Grove, Minn., where Leonard ran the local bank for nine years before they purchased the Harmony State Bank in Harmony, Minn.
Rachel was a homemaker, and an excellent cook. She enjoyed gardening, playing Bridge, singing and playing the piano and doing needlepoint, in which one her of projects won at the Minnesota State Fair. Throughout her life, she sang for many weddings and funerals and participated in many local choirs. Rachel was involved with local study clubs and was an active member of the Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed working as a Cub and Boy Scout leader as well as with the Brownies. She actively participated as a director and officer of the Harmony State Bank. Leonard and Rachel retired to Eden Prairie, Minn., and after a number of years returned to live out their lives in Harmony. Rachel entered Gundersen Harmony Care Center, where she was very active in the Resident Council as well as other committees and activities. She was the “unofficial” welcome wagon for all new residents and she would eagerly meet and visit with new residents and provide a welcoming atmosphere.
Rachel was preceded in death by her loving husband Leonard, her mother and father, two brothers, Peter and John; and a sister, Ann. Rachel is survived by her three children: Dr. Peter (Karen) Skaalen of Eden Prairie, Minn., Diana (Laine) Satter of Edina, Minn., and Christopher (Debra) Skaalen of Harmony, Minn.
Rachel is also survived by six grandchildren: Michael Berglund, Alexander (Kendall) Skaalen, Ashleigh Skaalen, Samantha (Kyle) Koch, James Skaalen and Nicholas Satter; and four great grandchildren: Thaddeus, Charlotte, Jackson and Harper.
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