Rachel Michaelsen

Dec 4, 1921 -

Oct 22, 2020

Long time Anchorage resident, Rachel Michaelsen, passed away peacefully in Tacoma, Wash., on Oct. 22, 2020, following a brief illness. Rachel was born in 1921 in Santa Fe, N.M., and spent her childhood there. She attended Mills College in Oakland, Calif., graduating in 1942. She enlisted in the Women's Army Corp in 1943 and while stationed at Camp Hale, Colo., she met her future husband, Arne Michaelsen. They were married in 1944. Following the end of WWII, they settled in Alaska living briefly in Seward and then moving to Anchorage, where they resided for over 60 years. Rachel was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Anchorage for many years, teaching Sunday school and serving as a member of the Session. She was active in scouting both serving as a Girl Scout troop leader and as a Cub Scout den mother. She worked at the Chamber of Commerce International Visitor Information Center at the Anchorage airport and she also managed a branch of the Book Cache Book Store. Rachel was a charter member of PEO Chapter E and a Life Member of the Anchorage Garden Club. She volunteered at the Salvation Army and other charitable organizations. Following his retirement, she and Arne traveled extensively, including numerous international trips, representing Anchorage's Sister City Commission. Rachel relocated to Tacoma, Wash., in 2015. She was predeceased by her husband, Arne in 2005; parents, John and Edna Walter; and sister, Betty Walter. Survivors include daughter, Janet Guarini and son-in-law Bob of Blue Point, N.Y.; son, Arne Michaelsen and daughter-in-law Sunny of Tacoma, Wash.; grandson, Arne Michaelsen; three great-grandchildren of Monroe, Wash.; brothers, John Walter of Woodenville, Wash., Carl Walter of Leawood, Kan., and their families; and family friend, Naomi Manabe of Kent, Wash. Burial is planned for a later date at the National Cemetery, Fort Richardson. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army, Red Cross or charity of choice.