The funeral services celebrating the life of Mrs. Rachel Ann Oberlender, 95, of Edmond formerly of Enid will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday March 26, 2016 in the with Gail Edmison officiating. Burial will follow in the Enid cemetery. Services are under the direction of Brown-Cummings Funeral Home. Open visitation will be held Wednesday through Saturday.
She was born to William F. and Martha A. Probst Howell March 5, 1921 in Enid. She was so tiny at merely 2 pounds at birth they put her in a shoe box. She was raised and educated in Enid graduating from Enid High in 1940. She grew up during hard times, but was always known for her smiles. Rachel had many friends through her school years that she always kept in touch with.
She married her husband Wayne G. Oberlender on December 26, 1941 in Enid. She was always very supportive of her husband who was a builder in Enid for 44 years and an Air Force Veteran. In her lifetime she helped many people in the community as well as working as a cashier at Champlin Swimming pool when it first opened and later worked at Central National Bank from which she retired in the 70’s.
She was a great mother to her children and was always involved with all their activities. Rachel was a gifted seamstress sewing for many in the community as well as her children’s clothes. Gifted as she was she made clothes and many wedding dresses for clients as well as her daughters and their wedding party. She was an active member and choir member at Trinity Methodist church and later Willow View Methodist Church. She was also a lifelong member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
She was very active in the class of 1940 where she kept track of all classmates, their lives, and always enjoyed their very active class reunions.
She is survived by her three children; Sharon Oberlender Halbert and husband Larry T. Halbert, deceased, of Edmond, Hal Oberlender and wife Kathy of Enid, and Melody Oberlender-Manahan and longtime companion Alta Kirk Jr. of Broken Arrow.
Five grandchildren; Cinnamon Halbert Smith and husband Ken of Chattanooga Tennessee, Sage Halbert and wife Amanda of Edmond, Hal Wayne Oberlender of Enid, Alta Kirk III and Madeline Kae Manahan of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
Four great grandchildren; Raven, Slate, Steel and Hadley and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Wayne G. Oberlender, one son in law Larry T. Halbert, a brother Virgil, and a sister Opal Bowman and their spouses.
Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice of Oklahoma City with Brown-Cummings serving as custodian of the funds.
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