Rachel Lynn Schroeder, 70, formerly of Baxter, TN died at 6:35 p.m. May 26, 2026 at the Comfort House in Pella.
She was born December 20, 1955 in Osceola to Gordon Keith and Mary Ellen Marks Harris. She married Michael Paul Ayala November 21, 1982 and they later divorced.
Growing up, her father’s work took the family various places throughout the country. Returning to Iowa, she graduated from Interstate 35 High School in 1975. Rachel earned her diesel mechanic degree at Des Moines Area Community College. She worked as a mechanic for several years before becoming an over-the-road truck driver. After retiring, she moved to Tennessee in 2019.
She attended Double Springs Church of Christ in Cookeville, TN. She loved Jesus and to share him with others. Rachel enjoyed beading, antiquing and thrift store shopping finding treasures to share.
Surviving are her daughters, Nicole (Christopher) Mouton of Ottumwa and Kristin (Adam) Curry of Carlisle; 8 grandchildren, Lucas and Collin Thomason, Tobias and Boone Mouton, Ariana Ayala-Bennett, Anthony, Alden and Chase Curry; 2 great granddaughters, Angelica and Emmerson; her 6 sisters, Mary Elizabeth Potter, Ramona Kathleen Keith, Diana Jeanne Duquette, her twin, Rebecca Couchman, Naomi Stewart and Faith Odenthal; many nieces and nephews; and her cat, Miss Pur.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a son-in-law, Bobby Thomason II.
Her body has been donated to the Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN.
