Rachel Monson, age 100, was born September 11, 1922, in Jackson Township, Union County, Ohio, to Ray and Esther (Parish) Reeley. She started grade school at Westfield at age four. She spent most high school years at Essex School, and finished her senior year at Richwood High School, graduating at age 16. After that she went to Marion Business College. On December 28, 1940, she married Jared (Jerry) Monson. They first lived in Washington, D.C, and she was employed at Morton Salt Company, then later at the State Department.

After moving back to Ohio, Rachel worked at Marion Engineer Depot and later at Goodrich Company during World War II while Jerry was in the Army Air Corp in Italy. She worked at Daly Insurance Company in Denver, Colorado, when Jerry was in Norden Bombsight School. Later she was the secretary at Radnor School and then Buckeye Valley School for six years. She also worked for two years at Ohio Wesleyan University. The rest of Rachel's time was spent working with Jerry on the Troy Road, Radnor, Ohio, farmstead.

For 26 years she and Jerry spent their winters in Texas, 17 of which were at Toledo Bend Lake where they enjoyed fishing, exploring and sightseeing. The other nine years were at Alamo, Texas, 10 miles north of the Rio Grande River, where they had many friends. Her final seven years were spent in north Texas in her own home next to her son and daughter-in-law.

Rachel was a member of the Waldo United Methodist Church where she was active in one of the church circles. She taught a young children's Sunday school class for 15 years. Her mind remained clear to her final days, and she could recall any number of childhood and other memories throughout her years. In her final years she wrote six articles about her life experiences, which were published in the Richwood Gazette. She also wrote two drafts of her own obituary, one humorous (not used) and one factual. She survived a number of health problems throughout her years and other complications from two auto accidents.

Rachel was preceded in death by her son Lynn in 1967, husband Jerry, in 2006, sister Marcella Matlack in 2022, and brothers-in-law Everett Matlack and Marvin Williams.

Rachel is survived by her son, David (Dave) Monson and daughter-in-law Gina Monson of Sherman, Texas, four grandsons – Erik (Lilly) Monson of Euless, Texas, Layne (Danielle) Monson of The Colony, Texas, Jereme (Jenny) Monson of Tomball, Texas, and Jacob Monson of Alvin, Texas. She is also survived by sister Shirley Williams of Delaware, Ohio, nine greatgrandchildren – Victoria, Matthew, Luke, David, Joshua, Michael, Eva Marie, Emory, and Jeremiah Monson, two step-granddaughters – Jenifer (Chad) Lamb and Bridget (Colin) Harrell, and six step-greatgrandchildren – Zachary, Callie, Natalie, and Alison Lamb, and Preslee and Slade Harrell.

Rachel was known as a kind and gentle soul that tried to see the best in everyone. She was also an outspoken person for women's rights, often reminding people that women only got the right to vote two years before the year that she was born. In keeping with Rachel's wishes, there will be a close family memorial service in Sherman, Texas, but no service in Ohio. Burial will be in Price Cemetery next to her husband Jerry.