Rachel M. Sigars, 93
Rachel M. Sigars passed away Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, at Hospice house with her daughter by her side. She was 93.
Rachel was born April 1, 1929, in Kellogg to Etalo and Helen (Sala) Biotti. She became a big sister when Joan was born on Jan. 10, 1933. Rachel attended Kellogg High School and graduated with the class of 1947. She attended business school in Spokane while living with her Uncle George and Aunt Jerry Sala. Rachel made many lifelong friends from Kellogg and would often get together when in town.
She married Monte Sigars on Aug. 31, 1957, in Las Vegas. They were married for 57 years, until Monte's passing in 2014. They met in Kellogg at the Bunker Hill mine. They relocated to San Gabriel, Calif., where they raised their daughter, Peggy. Rachel worked as a bookkeeper for a tool and die shop for more than 20 years. In 2001, they bought a second home in Coeur d'Alene to be closer to their grandchildren.
They loved being grandparents and enjoyed spending time with Danny and Nadine every chance they had. They provided a surprise gift in the size of an 8-week black lab puppy, Sam, to the grandkids in 1997. Sam became the third grandchild and provided many happy family memories into the grandkids' early college years.
As retired grandparents, they enjoyed searching for good deals at garage sales, sharing stories over checkers and throwing dice with family and friends. Monte enjoyed sharing local mining history and discussing any kind of engine.
Rachel was an avid knitter and over time knitted more than 1,000 hats for newborn babies with The Mad Hatters Club of Coeur d'Alene. She enjoyed needlepoint, cross stitching, working on puzzles, shopping and eating out with friends every chance she could get. Friday evenings were a standing dinner engagement with family, at various restaurants in Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls. Rachel enjoyed catching the bus to Worley once a week to play the penny slots — not a big winner, but had a fun time visiting with the regular bus riders and getting acquainted with those at the casino.
Rachel is survived by her daughter, Peggy Morasci and husband Mike of Dalton Gardens; her two grandchildren of whom she dearly adored, Danny Morasci of Spokane and Nadine Morasci of Everett, Wash. (fiancé Rory Lilley); niece Karen Ross of Kellogg; and nephew Rob Ross of Kellogg and his wife, Nikki; several great-nieces and nephews and generational cousins.
The family would like to thank Honeysuckle Assisted Living for the care provided over the last year. The staff became her second family.
A very special thank you to Schneidmiller House Hospice of North Idaho for the compassionate care, dignity and respect given to her in her final days. The support and kindness provided to her are cherished memories for Peggy.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 9, 2022, at Yates Funeral Home, 373 E. Hayden Ave., Hayden. A private burial will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Kellogg at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Rachel's name to Schneidmiller House Hospice of North Idaho, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815 (www.hospiceofnorthidaho.org); or Shriner's Children Hospital, 911 W. Fifth Ave., Spokane, WA 99204.
Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit Rachel’s online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.
