Rae Stiles Ormsby

Rae Stiles Ormsby, 68, of Pine Island, died of pancreatic cancer Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, at Seasons Hospice in Rochester.

Rae was born in Minneapolis, on Oct. 13, 1945, to Phillip and Martha (Aarnes) Stiles. She grew up in Cleveland, but spent summers and holidays in Sebeka, with her mother's family. After graduating from high school, she moved with her parents to Palos Verdes Peninsula, Calif. She attended California Western University in San Diego, and married Richard "Rick" Ormsby on Aug. 29, 1964. After their wedding, they moved to New England and attended Boston University, where Rae received her nursing degree. Rae worked at several hospitals in New England while Rick served as a United Methodist minister in that area. They had a son, Gabriel, and a daughter, Rebekah, while living in New Hampshire.

In 1979, the family moved to Minnesota. Rae worked at Saint Olaf Hospital in Austin, Mayo Clinic Hospital-Saint Marys in Rochester and District One Hospital in Faribault, while Rick served churches in Dexter, Brownsdale, Grand Meadow, Pine Island and Faribault and acted as the Southeast District superintendent. Her diverse nursing career included work in intensive care, emergency nursing and infection control. She was a supervisor and nursing educator, and received an advanced degree in transcultural nursing from Augsburg College in Minneapolis. She retired in 2010 and moved to Daybreak, her home in rural Pine Island. She regarded her grandchildren, Isaac, 10, and Alma, 5, as a special blessing.

Rae was a member of Pine Island United Methodist Church, where she was active on the Worship Committee and Church Council, and loved teaching the high school Sunday school class. After retirement, she volunteered at the Salvation Army Health Clinic in Rochester and the Pine Island History Center, where she was known as the loom expert. She had a special love for Pine Island's Van Horn Public Library, where she served on the board and did a variety of volunteered tasks, such as shelving and creating displays. In her spare time, Rae was an avid reader, enjoyed worldwide travel and loved to sew anything from church banners to prom dresses.

Rae was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband, Rick of Pine Island; son, Gabe (Heidi Eschenbacher); daughter, Rebekah Ormsby (David Lofquist); and grandchildren, Isaac and Alma, all living in Minneapolis.

Diagnosed with advanced cancer over a year ago, Rae came to regard the past year as one of best of her life. She spent extra time with her immediate family, including week-long excursions to Disney World and Itasca State Park. She was in touch with many lifelong friends and was encouraged by cards, flowers and notes of appreciation. She loved life, felt blessed beyond words, and only lamented that it was coming to an end. To her many friends, pastors and other loved ones, we offer our heartfelt thanks. She died a truly grateful and happy woman, trusting a gracious God for her future.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested for Pine Island United Methodist Church, Season's Hospice in Rochester or the Pine Island Van Horn Public Library.

A memorial service and remembrance will be held at Pine Island United Methodist Church, 200 N. Main St., at noon Saturday, Feb. 22. The family will host a calling hour beginning at 11 a.m. at the church. A luncheon will follow at the American Legion Hall, 108 First Ave. S.E.