Rachel Lynn Simons

Rachel Lynn Simons was suddenly called home to heaven on Tuesday May 18, 2021 at the age of 40. Rachel was the dear daughter of Dan and Maria Simons; cherished mother of Henry; beloved sister of Allison Simons and Salina Steinbrenner; loved sister-in-law of Andrew Steinbrenner; and cherished aunt of Lucas and Leon. She was born on December 30, 1980 in Port Washington, Wisconsin to Pastor Dan and Maria Simons. She received new birth, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life through the sacrament of Holy Baptism at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Port Washington shortly thereafter. Rachel was confirmed in the Christian faith on May 21, 1995 at Salem Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her confirmation passage was John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” She graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran High School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1999.

After briefly attending Mt. Mary College in Milwaukee, Rachel enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. She attended basic training at Cape May, New Jersey. United States Coast Guard achievements included: Training Honor Graduate Ribbon, Meritorious Team Commendation Ribbon with Two Gold Stars, Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, Sea Service Ribbon, Unit Commendation Award Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Commandants Letter of Commendation Ribbon. Duty stations included New York Harbor and its contiguous water ways and Norfolk, Virginia. She was medically discharged from the USCG while assigned to Lake Michigan Sector – Milwaukee. One of her most treasured Coast Guard honors was to march in the funeral procession for President Ronald Reagan.

Her promising career in military service was cut short by a diagnosis of breast cancer about the time she has giving birth to Henry. That was followed by aggressive chemotherapy which proved toxic to her heart. That necessitated a heart transplant on January 1, 2009. After struggling against mounting heart transplant related issues over the dozen years since her transplant, she was called by our gracious God from her home in Birmingham Michigan to his eternal home in heaven. On the very morning when the Lord called her home, she had first dropped off her son at Divine Grace Lutheran School in Lake Orion for the school day, picked up a few things to make for her and Henry for supper and was apparently on her way to her office in her home when the Lord suddenly called her home to heaven. She was the motivated Christian parent and faithful employee of the Droste Group of Troy Michigan until her last moments in this world. Now she lives in glory, joy, and perfect strength.

Rachel was a child of God who fought the good fight with bravery and dignity. Her drive to reach her personal goals and to be a great Mom for Henry were unflagging, even in the face repeated health challenges. Her wit and humor never quit.

A memorial gathering will take place on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at 9 AM, until time of memorial service at 11 AM, at Ascension Lutheran Church, 23401 23 Mile Road, Macomb, MI 48042, with a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rachel’s memory to Henry’s education fund at https://gofund.me/25c753e9.