Rachel J. Guhl-Eckman was born July 29, 1972 in Hammond, Indiana to Raymond and Naomi Guhl. She was baptized in 1972 at Saint John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lansing, Illinois, and confirmed at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lansing, Illinois in 1986. Rachel married Steven Eckman on August 4, 2011 at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Minnesota.

While we await the glorious day of the resurrection, Rachel is missed by Steven (husband), Zoe and Johanna (daughters), Naomi (mother), Matthew (brother), Alice (sister-in-law), Avery (niece), Deanna and Theodore (cousins), and many more dear relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by Raymond (father), Marion (Aunt), and Walter (Uncle).

Rachel graduated from Thornton Fractional South Township High School in 1990. She went on to major in chemistry and environmental science at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, graduating in 1994. She worked hard throughout her life at various chemical, pharmaceutical, and medical device companies, but her passion in life was service to others. Rachel loved helping others and shining a light into the darkness. In particular, she treasured her volunteer mission trips to Guatemala and the Philippines, and always encouraged others to "just go and help." She also never lost her love of the French horn, gardening, her cats, or feeding the local squirrels.

Family and friends are invited to Schroeder-Lauer Funeral Home, 3227 Ridge Road, Lansing, Illinois 60438 for visitation on Thursday, March 14, 2024 from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, March 15, 2024 at Saint John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 18100 Wentworth Avenue, Lansing, Illinois 60438. There will also be visitation from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM prior to the funeral services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rachel's name to Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 5005 Northwest Boulevard, Plymouth, Minnesota 55442.