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Rachel Quijano
RACHEL ELIZABETH (LEO) QUIJANO
Des Moines
Rachel Elizabeth (Leo) Quijano, 84, passed away peacefully with family on March 7, 2018.
Rachel was born in Terravecchia, Italy, to parents Frank and Mary Leo. Her family came to the U.S. through Ellis Island when she was a young girl and settled in Des Moines. She grew up on the south side, attended St. Anthony's Catholic School, Lincoln High School and entered nurse's training.
She married her childhood friend, Donald Quijano, followed by the births of their three children, Mary, Donnie and Donna.
Rachel was employed in several jobs over the years primarily with the city of Cedar Rapids, City Hall, where she retired in 1999. Starting a new chapter as a single, she moved to Colorado Springs with her daughter, Donna, and family, and later settled in Norman, Okla.
She enjoyed many activities including: cooking, tennis, singing, watching sports, reading, painting, quilting and shopping. Rae was a volunteer at church, loved to travel and enjoyed spending time with her family.
Rae will be remembered with love for her spirit and kind-heartedness. Children, Mary Quijano Clark and Donald Frank Quijano Jr. of Houston, Texas, and Donna Rae Quijano-Butner of Norman. Her grandchildren, Capt. Nicholas Butner, USMC, San Diego, Calif., Melissa Disterlic, Norman, and Austin and Tyler Clark, Houston. Sisters, Marcy Gaulke and Rosie Gibson, both of Des Moines. She will be missed by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews, great-grandchildren, sons-in-law and friends. Rachel was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Guido Leo; and brothers-in-law, Ted Gaulke and Dan Gibson.
Family will be available for visitation on Tuesday, March 13, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Tonini Funeral Home, 2135 SW Ninth St. in Des Moines. Rosary service will follow. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, March 14, at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 15 Indianola Ave. in Des Moines. Graveside service will follow at Glendale Cemetery. Reception will follow at St. Anthony's Parish Center. Donations to the Alzheimer's Association in lieu of flowers also would be appreciated.
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