Rachel A Amundson

July 31, 1978 - September 6, 2015

Rachel Ann Amundson, 37, was unexpectedly called home to the Lord on September 6, 2015. She lived in the Portland, Oregon area for the past ten years and built a wonderful life there, but was a Wisconsin girl at heart. She had two feet firmly planted in both states. Rachel was an organ and tissue donor, and her legacy will live on in the many lives she has given miracles to. Rachel was born to Jeffrey and Clarissa Amundson on July 31, 1978 in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in Mountain View, MO. She was the youngest of three children. In her early years, the family moved back to Wisconsin and explored various areas of the state until they found their permanent home in the Northwoods. Rachel attended Northland Pines High School in Eagle River, WI, and it was during these years that she found her love of all things equestrian at Elmer’s Fun Park and Saddle Horses. She served as a horse trail guide. This was more than a job to her, however, as it planted the seed of a lifelong passion for horses. It was here that Rachel met the first love of her life; a saddle horse named Joker. Throughout her early twenties, Rachel explored Appleton and Milwaukee, WI and Minneapolis, MN as a place to find herself and call home. During these years, she worked in the hospitality industry. She then, however, learned of her talent in business administration, and began to grow a business mind while working at Pitney Bowes. It wasn’t until Rachel moved to Portland, OR in 2005, however, that she found everything she could have hoped for. She sought a job with a staffing agency, whom assigned her to a temporary, entry-level position within Mentor Graphics. Rachel proved herself to be an asset to the organization, however, and was quickly hired on as a full time employee. Throughout her career promotions and development, Rachel was repeatedly recognized for her outstanding contributions as a national sales coordinator. As a further investment in her, Mentor provided the opportunity for her to attend George Fox University, which she did part time for a number of years. Rachel met her initial educational goal of graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Organizational Leadership. She had most recently served the organization by creating a nearly 100-page international quote manual, which resulted in traveling internationally and training the global workforce of Mentor Graphics in both Europe and Asia. Her years with Mentor Graphics were fruitful ones and brought her much challenge, success, and a host of friends across the country. Her love of horses was rekindled during the past decade, as she never missed working at the annual St. Paul Rodeo, where she was a member. This organization opened her life up to making many of the friends she called her “Oregon Family.” Rachel was also very blessed to find a family in Charles Burkett and his three children. Their domestic partnership ended too soon at her passing, after seven years. Together, they bought a home with potential and have spent the past few years remodeling the inside as well as completely revamping the entire property. So much so, that people have stopped by throughout the process to remark at the beauty they have created. Though Rachel had a keen mind for business and leadership, she had an artist’s eye as well, which came across everything she touched. No season went unnoticed in her home being turned over in celebration of it. Rachel had an insatiable energy; she was passionate about God, family, friends, the Green Bay Packers, travel, natural beauty, her pets, and truly living every moment to its fullest potential. She faithfully donated to the wellbeing of shelter animals and to Vietnam Veterans, among other causes. She was loving, brilliant, witty, and charming; a radiating star. Rachel is survived by a very loving family who deeply grieve her, but who celebrate her union with the Lord: parents Jeffrey and Clarissa (Reynolds) Amundson, brother Carl (April) Amundson, sister Roshelle Amundson, nephew Mason Amundson, life partner Charles Burkett and family, aunts, an uncle, cousins, and many close friends. She was preceded in death by grandparents Morris Amundson, Helen Amundson, James Reynolds; uncle Dave Amundson and aunt Mary Amundson. While the family will be holding a private memorial service in WI, an open celebration of Rachel’s life will take place in the time to come. Services in Oregon will be held in the Tack Room of the St. Paul Rodeo Association in St. Paul on September 26th. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to help cover the expense of the services.