Mary Rachel Greffe Wheeler

Mary Rachel Greffe Wheeler

Cedar Rapids

Mary Rachel Greffe Wheeler, 103, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 4, 2024, in the home of her daughter, Mary Beth. Celebration of life services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, June 10, at Faith Presbyterian Church, 715 38th Street S.E. Cedar Rapids, with visitation from 10 a.m. until the service begins. Burial will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at Bethel Baptist Cemetery, near Sharpsburg. Ill.

Rachel was born March 13, 1921, in Christian County, Ill, the daughter of Cyrus Dean and Abbie Jane Wilbur Greffe. After graduating from the University of Illinois Champaign with a bachelor’s degree in education, she taught high school home economics and chemistry in Newman, Ill. She married Walter L. Wheeler on August 9, 1943, in Glendale, Calif. shortly before he was deployed by the U.S. Army to serve during World War II. Rachel continued teaching while awaiting her husband’s return. Walter preceded Rachel in death October 3, 2016, after 73 years of marriage.

Rachel’s faith played an important role in everything she did. She viewed service to others as central in her life. She was a member of Faith (formerly Calvin Sinclair) Presbyterian Church, which she served in many ways, including dedicating many hours to the effort which culminated in the formation of Faith Presbyterian Church. While raising children she participated in parent-teacher organizations, organized and supported band fund-raisers, and sewed many orchestra and theater costumes. She was proud of her accomplishments in Spencer, which included teaching sewing for the Women’s Institute. After Walter’s passing, she followed his lead, assuming management of the family farms and mentoring her children to continue the work.

She was a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts of the USA. She happily led many troops, served in the capacities of ‘trainer of leaders’, ‘trainer of trainers’, and board member of the Mississippi Valley Girl Scout Council. She led trips to many destinations, including Our Chalet GS International House in Switzerland and Daisy’s home in Savannah, GA. After stepping down from leadership roles, she continued her support of GS programs through generous contributions toward GS programs, including facility improvements at Camp Liberty, located at New Liberty, Iowa. Her enthusiasm for the Girl Scouts is carried on by her daughters, granddaughters, and great granddaughters.

Asked for the secret to her long life, she often replied it was to start each day with a strong purpose, advice which she followed throughout her life. In recent months she found that purpose sewing quilt tops for a church charity and routinely besting anyone who would offer her a good game of Euchre.

Rachel was preceded in death by her parents; six brothers, Earl, Cyrus Dale, Vernon Karl, Ronald Gene, Donald Dean, and Virgil Murl; and two sisters, Esther Maurine, and Virginia Pearl.

Rachel is survived by her children, James W. (Erlinda) Wheeler of West Chester, PA, John W. (Constance) Wheeler of Davenport, IA, Margaret A. (Chu) Om of Auburn, NE, Mary Beth (Thomas) Binder of Marion, IA, and Barbara C. (Lincoln) Wainwright; 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be directed to Faith Presbyterian Church or to the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, Attn: Fund Development, 940 Golden Valley Drive, Bettendorf, IA 52722.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com