Rachel Marcella Kluever (nee Petermann), formerly of West Bend, passed away at the age of 87 years, on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Bethel Home Serenity Garden in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Rachel and her twin brother Ronald were born at home on the family farm in the Town of Auburn on July 1,1938, to the late Arthur and Lorina (nee Schaefer) Petermann. She graduated from Kewaskum High School in 1956, and married Melvin Kluever on October 18, 1958, at Peace UCC in Kewaskum and they made their home in West Bend.

Rachel worked at Regal Ware until she married Melvin and enjoyed telling the story of having to quit her job because the company didn’t allow spouses to work in the same office. She later worked as a Teacher’s Aide at Fair Park Elementary School for 18 years and remained lifelong friends with many of the teachers and aides that she worked with.

Rachel enjoyed sewing, making counted cross stitch designs, researching family history, attending and volunteering at church, and volunteering at the Washington County Historical Society. Her passion was gardening. Her happiest days were spent “digging in the dirt” and if she wasn’t working in her own ½ acre showcase garden at home she was out potting and planting with the West Bend Beautification Committee.

Rachel is survived by her two children, Richard (Amy) Kluever of Hoover, Alabama, and Barbara (Bruce) Loomans of Oshkosh; five grandchildren, David (Debbie) Kluever, Michael (Josipa) Kluever, Phillip (Ashley Tymchuk) Kluever, Brynna Loomans and Devin Loomans; great-grandchildren, Theodore Kluever and Roko Kluever; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, Rachel was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Melvin Kluever; sister, Marion (Ralph) Erdmann; three brothers, Orville (Marion) Petermann, Oliver (Mary Ann) Petermann, and Ronald (Sharon) Petermann; two brothers-in-law, Raymond (Marianne) Kluever and Earl (Bonnie) Kluever; and a sister-in-law, Elaine (Earl) Klabunde.

Special thanks to Moments Hospice for their compassionate care in her final days and to treasured neighbors Sherry and Bob Reischel for their many years of friendship and support.

Inurnment will be at Washington County Memorial Park with a private family service and memorial gathering to be held at a future date.

Memorials may be directed to Peace United Church of Christ, Kewaskum or your local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Rachel’s arrangements. For additional information or to leave an online condolence on the tribute wall, please visit www.myrhum-patten.com.