Rachel F. Grinnell (as shown in 1964 Tomahawk Yearbook): F. is for her maiden name, Freund.
Rachel W. Grinnell
Battle Creek
Age 90, died Thursday, September 30, 1993 at Evergreen Manor Care Center after a lengthy period of declining health. Ms. Grinnell was born July 2, 1903 in Akron, Ohio to the late Fred and Jennie (Waddell) Freund. She moved to Michigan as a child and had lived in Grand Ledge, Mason, Lansing and Vermontville before moving to Battle Creek. She graduated with Master’s degrees from Olivet College and Michigan State University. While attending Olivet College, she coached women’s basketball, including one season when her team was state champions. Ms. Grinnell had been a school teacher for many years and retired in 1964 from Okemos Public Schools. She was a former member of First Presbyterian Church in Lansing. Ms. Grinnell was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Leslie O., in July 1974. Surviving is a special friend, Mrs. Edith Malipsey of Vermontville, with whom she made her home at one time. Funeral services will be held 1:30 Wednesday, October 13, 1993 at Greenwood Cemetery, Mason, with Rev. Dr. David L. Beck officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Farley-Estes Funeral Home, Battle Creek.
Source: Microfilm file, Lansing State Journal obituary, October 6, 1993
Laurel Winkel (1968)
(from the November 1993 Chieftan Chatter, OHS Alumni Association)
MEMORIAM
"Rachel Grinnell was an English teacher at Okemos High School. Graduate Jerry Cohen, '59, remembers her as a "classy lady" gracing the halls of Okemos High. She was his favorite teacher.
After retirement, she lived near Eaton Rapids, so many of us had not seen her except when she visited our teacher reception events."
Elizabeth Byrd (Arend) (1963)
Mrs. Grinnell was a tough teacher! She stretched us in every way, every class period. Not a day goes by that I do not thank her for making me aware of banned errors that can easily sneak into our writing - our, hour, are, you're and your, their and there, to, two, and too, etc. I hear her voice when I write these words. One could get an A for content in a paper and an F for grammar, which at the time would make one crazy. Now, I say, "thank you" for holding my feet to the fire. Rest in peace knowing you made a difference is this world!
Lynn Miller (1961)
One of the best teachers I ever had. She taught us to write well. Throughout my federal government career, I was the guy who could write, the hero. Thank you, Mrs. Grinnell. Lynn Miller, OHS 1961.