Rachel Huse

Rachel Lee (Nicholson) Huse, 78, of Las Vegas, Nevada and formerly of Ames, Iowa, died October 5, 2016 at St. Rose Dominican Hospital in Las Vegas after a lengthy illness.  She was born December 4, 1937, to Alva and Helen (Corrick) Nicholson in Marshalltown, Iowa.  After moves to Maxwell and Boone, where the family ran the Shamrock Café, they settled in Nevada, Iowa, where Rachel graduated from high school in 1955.

On June 25, 1960, Lee, as she was affectionately known by friends and relatives, married Ragnar Morken in Ames, Iowa, where they made their home.  Though they later divorced, to them were born three sons, Eric, Kurt, and Bjorn and identical twin daughters Audra (stillborn) and Audrey.

Lee had been employed at Bourns Inc. in Ames, but chose to be a stay at home mother, often providing babysitting services in the home while raising her own children.  Later on she was employed at Walt’s Hallmark Shop in downtown Ames.

On August 20, 1980, Rachel and Phillip Huse were married, making their home first in Torrance, California, then retiring to Las Vegas in 1995.  She was a member of American Legion Auxiliary Post 14 and Sons of Norway.

Lee enjoyed reading, going to movies, shopping and decorating for the holidays.  She was a great cook – her chili and goulash among the family favorites.  She liked to bake cookies and cupcakes and made the world’s best banana bread.  As a mother, grandmother, and friend, she never forgot a birthday or anniversary, always sending cards and making phone calls for each occasion.  Even in her later years, she volunteered at a nearby elementary school helping children with reading and spelling.  She was a great lady, soft spoken with a kind and gentle heart and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Rachel Lee is survived by her children Eric (Miyoung) Morken of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Kurt (Trixie) Morken of Torrance, California; Bjorn (Kelly) Morken of Ames, Iowa; and Audrey (Richard Joerg) Morken of Mankato, Minnesota; step-son David Huse of San Pedro, California; along with twelve grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Phil; step-son Mark Huse; brothers Ron and Larry Nicholson; and stillborn daughter, Audra.

Services will be Tuesday, October 11th at 10:40 am at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, with visitation from 8:00-10:00 am prior at Boulder City Family Mortuary.  A Celebration of Life is planned in Ames, Iowa on a future date. Family and friends can sign an online memorial guestbook at www.bouldercityfamilymortuary.com.