We pay tribute to our dear mother, Rachel Katherine Stephens who passed away on June 2, 2016 at the age of 85.  Rachel, was the wife of John William Stephens for 61 years, John having passed May 17, 2012.  She was mother to four children, three sons, Mark (Debra), Scott and Chip Stephens (Paige) and one daughter, Cindy Stephens Gardner (Steve); grandmother to Matt (Tina), Justin (Chelsea), Jordan, AJ (Carla), Cole and Clay Stephens; great grandmother to Carston and Haleigh Stephens.  Rachel was born to Helen and Gus Otter on December 17, 1930 and was sister to Marge Sower, Elaine Murray, Jane Bush, Caroline Coykendall and Billy Otter.
We weep and are deeply saddened by her passing, but our beautiful memories are and will forever be of much comfort to all of us.  She was truly one in a million, certainly a real WONDER WORMAN!  Her contributions to the city of Ashland are of great significance, having directed and owned the Peter Pan Playhouse for 29 years.  The center averaged 100 youngsters a day of all ages and the impact her tutelage, guidance and caregiving had on the lives of many, many young children would compile a dissertation.  Peter Pan Playhouse was inordinate amongst day care centers because it included horseback riding, swimming, fishing, roller skating, sled riding and yearly trips to Cedar Point and Sea World.
Rachel, our "Queen Mother", was strong-willed, a great leader, a go-getter, fearless, beautiful, classy, funny, witty, a great business woman, and, most importantly, stressed the importance of doing things for people because you want to, not because you want something in return.  She spoke eloquently, could talk to anyone and had a great way about her.  She had her own dialect, using words of her own invention that should be included in every dictionary, like; "magic canoe" and "framma zamma."  She loved great food: lobster, steak, chicken, vension, pies, cakes, pastries, ice cream, chocolates and candy.  Fairly recently, she had 11 pounds of butter in her freezer.  She bought in bulk and would add salt and butter without measure to what she liked to call, "momma's good home cookin" without even trying her concoctions beforehand.  She never made a bad meal.  Momma loved good music, especially, big band jazz, Frank Sinatra, Broadway musicals and shows.  She loved to travel, particularly, to California to visit her sister Jane Bush with whom she had a great level of connectivity over the years.  She was a member and "Queen Mother" of the Ashland County Red Hat Club.  She was a Christian and conducted herself with integrity, dignity and honesty.
As she makes her transistion, we send her off with much love and the biggest hugs and kisses one can ever receive! Through life's many challenges, she never stopped loving and supporting her family.  Rachel requested there be no services and to be cremated, with her ashes, along with those of her husband John, to be scattered over the farmland they worked so diligently together to make an oasis of peace.  We're proud and honored to have had Rachel Katherine Stephens as our family queen.  She had an amazing, full, interesting life and was a true blessing to so many, a one-of-a-kind treasure and class act!
Fickes Funeral Home in Jeromesville assisted the family with arrangements.  Online condolences may be made at www.fickesfuneralhome.com.