Rachel (Buker) Hiers, age 79, of Mankato, died Tuesday, April 19, 2005, at Immanuel St. Joseph’s Hospital in Mankato.

Born in Owatonna on Dec. 11, 1925, she was the daughter of Arthur and Laura (Sanders) Neubauer. She attended school in rural Steele County. She married Loren Buker in 1947 and together they farmed in Waseca County. She also worked at the E.F. Johnson Co. in Waseca. In 1974, she married Donald Hiers and they lived in Aitkin. She enjoyed flower gardening, quilting, bingo, writing letters, bird watching, fishing, and watching Bandwagon. She was a former member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Aitkin, Bible study, and gardening club. She was currently a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Mankato.

She is survived by two daughters: Diane Krienke of Mankato, and Debra Knish and her husband Jack Price of Owatonna; four sons: Steve Buker and his wife Renee of Waseca, Ronald Buker and his wife Marlene of North Mankato, Dennis Buker and his wife Kathy of Albert Lea, and Gary Buker of Janesville; 13 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother, Luverne Neubauer and his wife Geraldine of Owatonna.

She was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; one son, Rickey; one grandchild, Farrah; one step-grandchild, Cory; one sister, Marlene; and two brothers: Marvin and Norman.

Visitation will be held at Kinder-Dennis Home for Funerals in Waseca on today, April 21, from 4 to 8 PM with an 8 p.m. service. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church in Aitkin.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Aitkin with the Rev. David Becker officiating. Burial will follow at Lake View Cemetery in Aitkin.