Rachel Ann Bolton passed away peacefully on 4/15/2026, at the Crestone, right around the corner from her daughter Jamie.  Rachel was born in Topeka, Kansas, the only daughter of Willis Estal and Ora Rachel Cowen Hawk.  She spent lots of time in Scranton with her beloved Grandmother Cowen and Auntie Pearl Bell.  Moving as a teenager to Osawatomie, Rachel graduated from OHS in 1954.   At Emporia State Teacher’s College, she met Albert Guy Bolton of Council Grove, marrying as seniors in 1957.  After graduation, they moved to Lawrence, where Rachel began teaching high school and coaching debate.  Al was promoted at Met Life, relocating the couple to Colorado Springs, where their two daughters were born.  Soon they returned to Osawatomie, where Al became partner at Osawatomie Motors, and Rachel taught English and journalism at OHS, where she founded the Student Voice.  Students loved Mrs. Bolton, and she got the school board to allow women teachers to ditch the nylons and heels during winter weather.   She and Al socialized at ELKS Club, and Rachel helped found Osawatomie’s community theatre.  She had attained a Master’s degree, then became school librarian her final year at OHS.   After a fire destroyed Osawatomie Motors, Al and Rachel parted ways, though their friendship continued.  Rachel moved to Overland Park where she wrote for The Squire and was soon recruited to Public Affairs at Hallmark Cards.  There she placed articles in the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, and interviewed CEOs and celebrities including Oprah, through her retirement at age 73.  Rachel was active of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority, Beta Phi Mu Honor Society for library science, Pi Kappa Delta Honor Society for debate, and P.E.O. sisterhood supporting women’s education. She made and kept friendships all along the way, and loved entertaining at home, dancing and live music, theater and NASCAR, and her beloved Siamese cats, all named Woo.  Family was Rachel’s favorite, and she leaves a space in ours which cannot be filled.  Rachel was preceded in death by her parents and older brother, Richard “Dick” Hawk and Sylvia, her daughters’ father Albert and his parents and three brothers, and some dear friends.  Rachel is survived by her brother Ray Warner Hawk and Carol, her longtime sweetheart Don Spangler, daughter Lisa DeLille Bolton and grandson Nash and his father K.W. Turnbow, daughter Jamie Ann Jerome and Cliff, granddaughter Rachel Miles and Derrick, and grandson Joe.  Rachel delighted in her great granddaughters Madelyn Ann and Savannah, Lynn Miles and will soon welcome a great grandson from her heavenly home, where she watches over us all, confidently expecting a positive outcome.  ~ her daughters, Lisa & Jamie.

A visitation at 2:30 pm, Funeral service at 3:30 pm followed by a reception at the Church of the Resurrection, Wesley Chapel, Bldg C, 13720 Roe Avenue, Leawood, KS