Rachel Ann Sipchen

Rachel Ann Sipchen, 82, Plymouth died on Sunday, March 22, 2026 at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.

Rachel was the oldest of 6 kids, born to Ray & Jane Johnson in Thomasville, GA.  After her father returned from WWII, they moved to Waukau WI, and she graduated from Omro High School.  She started a family with Richard Raymond, the brother of her best friend Barbara Raymond.  They raised their first four kids in Waukau, Beaver Dam, and Fort Atkinson before moving to Salisbury NC where her fifth child was born.  After her marriage to Richard ended, as a single parent of five children, at age 37 Rachel enrolled in Davidson-Davie County Community College, eventually earning her RN degree before moving her family back to Wisconsin to be closer to family. 

Rachel worked as a geriatric nurse at Bethany Care Home in Waupaca, WI and Omro Care Center, where she met the love of her life Ralph (Jack) Sipchen.  Her nursing career was her identity, as was being a mom and grandmother.  She was so proud of her five children, whom she called her heartstrings, often saying she loved them “more than life itself” and expressed gratitude that they all found stellar life partners. 

Rachel is survived by humor, often stating, “if I’m not laughing, I might as well be dead” even up to the end of her life.   She loved tent camping, even alone.  She was passionate about Neil Diamond, instilling this love in her kids via several concerts and a vast collection of his albums.  She loved food, cooking, food shows and sharing NYT recipes, and was famous in the family for her turkey stuffing and spaghetti and meatballs.  She cared deeply about others, which showed up in her politics. 

Rachel died after a short illness, surrounded by her family.  She is predeceased by her husband Jack Sipchen, parents Ray and Jane Johnson, and cats Callie, Jasper, and Sebastian.  Survived by her children Renee (Joe) Wachuta, Anita Raymond (Ned Bouril),  Rick (Becca) Raymond,  Randy (Cheri) Raymond, Lawrence (Eve) Raymond, and grandchildren Alix Raymond (Oliver Rytman), Tehya (Connor Rentz) Wachuta, Sydney Raymond (friend Josh Sowinski), Kailei Wachuta (fiancé Kole Wenner), and Dustin (Kelly) Wilhelme, great-granddaughter Hattie,  and cats Tiger and Bert.  Also survived by sisters Peggy (Dave) Drover, Mary (Guy) Larson, Patti (Jerry) Lindell and brothers Mike (LeAnn) Johnson and David Johnson. 

The family would like to thank  Dr. Nakita Jain of HSHS St. Vincent Oncology; St. Nicholas Hospital care team, especially nurses Tiffany and Morgan; and Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice team, especially nurses Nick, Hope, Michelle, Deb, Sarah and aides Lisa, Cynthia, and Evelyn.  

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Brothertown Indian Nation; Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice, or the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. 

A Celebration of Life to honor Rachel’s life will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at Nourish Farms, 100 Alfred Miley Way, Sheboygan Falls. There will be a memorial service at 11:30 am, followed by a light meal and a celebration of Rachel’s life and reminiscing.

The Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Wittkopp location, is assisting the family with arrangements. Expressions of sympathy can be made to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com