Raquel Derenne

Raquel Derenne brought warmth, laughter, and joy into every room she walked into. There was nothing that brought Raquel more happiness than being surrounded by those she loved. Although life will never be the same without her, Raquel leaves behind a precious collection of memories that her loved ones will hold close to their hearts.

History remembers the early 1940s primarily for the devastation of WWII. During this time, Hector “Coco” and Maria Gilbert of Guayaquil, Ecuador, were expecting the arrival of a baby girl. Their daughter, Raquel, made her entrance into the world on March 16th of 1943. She kept her Ecuadorian culture alive throughout her life.

Raquel’s first 25 years were spent in her hometown of Guayaquil, the largest city in Ecuador. The city was bustling and was always so warm due to its closeness to the equator. Raquel was raised in a large family that included her siblings, Jorge, Belen, Beatriz, Juan, and Hector. From a young age, Raquel was deeply devoted to her family. When her mother began battling cancer, Raquel didn’t think twice about helping to care for her.

Exciting changes were on the horizon for Raquel as she met the man who would quickly become the love of her life. His name was Edward Derenne, and he was serving in the Peace Corps in Ecuador at the time. The two were set up by a family friend, and a connection immediately sparked. They shared the same values and dedication to family. Raquel and Edward were united in marriage in Ecuador, with Raquel wearing her distinctive red hat and white dress.

Raquel and Edward felt strongly that there would be more opportunities to be had in Wisconsin, so they made the difficult decision to leave her native country and family. Raquel and Edward made the move to Algoma, Wisconsin, near Green Bay. Before long, their family began to grow. Raquel was overjoyed to welcome her two sons, Frank and Richard, into the world. Shortly after Richard’s birth, the family returned to Ecuador. After five years, they returned to Wisconsin yet again. Raquel and Edward worked together to manage their home and raise their boys. She thrived in her role as a mother, and she also worked as a seamstress and did childcare. The Derenne family enjoyed summer vacations to the zoo, where she would make her famous chicken sandwiches to take with them. Raquel also made several trips back to Ecuador over the years to stay connected with her family.

Raquel persevered through cancer and other illnesses in her 50s. Just as she was recovering, her husband passed away. Raquel continued to put family first and lived with Frank and Richard while both attended college in Madison, Wisconsin. Once Richard had finished college, he was recruited to work for Stryker and Raquel moved with him to Kalamazoo, Michigan. Richard met his wife, Greathen, and they married in 2006 and built a mother-in-law suite so Raquel could live with them. Raquel truly embraced Greathen and her family as her own and later did the same with Frank’s wife, Nicki. Raquel fit the role perfectly as an adoring and caring abuela to Anthony, Charlie, and Raelyn. She even extended her abuela role to Greathen’s niece Sailor. Her grandkids were her entire world. Raquel loved passing her Ecuadorian culture and Spanish language down to her grandchildren. When they were young, she liked reading picture books and singing to them. Raquel’s family was undoubtedly her greatest treasure.

Raquel loved staying busy in her free time for as long as her health allowed. She was an avid shopper and bargain hunter, often walking around the shops for hours. For years, her daily “uniform” was an embroidered Ecuadorian house dress. Raquel had an eye for interior design, and she enjoyed embroidery. She had an eclectic taste in music, including mariachi and even polka. Cooking was one of Raquel’s favorite ways to connect to her heritage and show her love to her family. She often prepared Ecuadorian food for her loved ones, including arroz con pollo, churrasco, fried plantains, flan, and carrot tortillas. She loved ice cream, cheesecake, and iced cappuccinos, and she also enjoyed a little wine from time to time. Over the years, Raquel built a prized collection of angels, ceramic dogs, crystal dolphins, and Mickey Mouse figurines. The family joked she had as many as 1,000 pieces in her collection.

Throughout the years, Raquel took many English classes at night where she met several good friends. Although English was not her first language, it never stopped her from being a social butterfly. Raquel would chat with anyone. She always made an effort to have a conversation with family friends, even without a translator. The family would always joke about what question Raquel would ask next. She was a lively storyteller and loved sharing about Ecuador. According to Raquel, everything was better in Ecuador. She kept in touch with her loved ones through letters and phone calls. Raquel regularly attended St. Catherine’s and later Chapel Hill, growing in her faith and getting to know others at church. She loved building relationships and never missed a chance to hold her friends and family tight.

When reflecting on the vibrant and overflowing life of Raquel Derenne, it is easy to celebrate a woman so dedicated to serving those around her with compassion and humility. She stood as a powerful role model of faith and integrity, and her bright, vibrant personality shone larger than life. As a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Raquel was the heartbeat of her family. Already so greatly missed, Raquel will be forever loved and remembered.

Raquel Derenne of Portage, age 83, died on September 24, 2026. She was born March 16, 1943, in Ecuador to Hector and Maria Gilbert. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edward Derenne; her brother, Jorge Gilbert; her stepdaughter, Janet Bader; and special family member, Sailor Sauter. Surviving are her children: Richard (Greathen) Derenne and Frank (Nicki) Derenne; step-children: Linda Shefchik, Alan Derenne, Jimmy Derenne, and Patricia Derenne; grandchildren: Anthony Derenne, Charles Derenne, and Raelyn Derenne; siblings: Belen Parra, Beatriz Coello, Juan Gilbert, and Hector Gilbert; and many nieces and nephews. As well as others who loved and cared for her: Sharon Sauter, Martin Sauter, Aaron Sauter, and Shannon Sauter.

Please join us for a Life Story Service on Friday, November 13, at 4 p.m., at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, (269) 375-2900. A reception will follow in the Life Story Center where food, drinks, and stories will be shared. There will be a private burial at a later date. Celebrate Raquel’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.