Rachel Jean Hernandez, 40, of North Platte, NE, passed away Friday, October 10, 2014, at Great Plains Health.

Rachel was born August 4, 1974, to Richard John and Donna Katherine DeWolf Hernandez at North Platte where she grew up. In 1993 Rachel graduated from North Platte High School. She later went to work at the Walmart Distribution Center before attending Mid-Plains Community College to study phlebotomy so she could help others by drawing their blood.

Rachel was a kind person, willing to help others without expecting anything in return. She was a loving and caring mother, daughter, sister and friend and enjoyed being with her nieces and nephews. She was also a Bronco’s fan, loved to travel and liked to visit Estes Park, CO. Rachel’s greatest joy in life was her son, Rueben, and she loved spending time with him.

Rachel was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and a volunteer and advocate for the Rape and Domestic Abuse Program.

She will be greatly missed by her family which includes her son, Rueben Mykel Hernandez Marquez, parents, Richard and Donna Hernandez, and grandmother, Modesta Hernandez, all of North Platte; her sisters, Melissa (Brad) Saathoff, of Hershey, NE and Juliana Caudillo, of North Platte; a brother, Richard, Jr., stationed at Norfolk, VA; her nieces, Kaitlyn and Harlie; nephews, Joshua, Chase, Colbey, Aaron, Zachariah and Marcus; a great-nephew, Brayden; aunts, Erlinda (Joe) Mata, of Cheyenne, WY and Harlya (Steve) Latham, of Belleville, KS; four uncles, Fermin (Sharon) Hernandez and Michael (Gloria) Hernandez, all of North Platte, Arthur (Janet) Hernandez, of Arvada, CO and Charlie (Fran) DeWolf, of Hershey, NE; numerous cousins and other family; and her friends which include, Nancy and Bo Cai and Heather Wright, all of North Platte.

Rachel was preceded in death by her special grandfather, Demetrio Jose ‘Pete’ Hernandez; grandmother, Carrie Turner; grandfather, Albert DeWolf; an uncle, Joseph Hernandez; and her special friend, Michael Deibert.

Christian Wake Service will be 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 15, 2014, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Celebrant Father Jim Golka. Cremation will follow the mass. In lieu of flowers, a trust fund for Rueben has been established at the Union Pacific Credit Union. Visitation will be 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com.