Rachel Anne Gubler Vanderslice

Our sister Rachel Anne Gubler Vanderslice, 44, passed away early Christmas morning Dec. 25, 2015, in Salt Lake City, UT of complications from her paralysis. She was the 5th child of 7, born on April 5, 1971, in Lima, Peru, South America, to Joseph Lynn Gubler and Edith Langford Gubler, who were serving a LDS Labor Mission. She graduated from Hurricane High School and Dixie College. Eleven days after high school graduation, she became a paraplegic, paralyzed in a car accident that resulted in lifelong chronic pain. Rachel rallied from this major life changing experience, choosing to accept it and be positive about her challenges. At college she wanted to work with builders helping to design accessible construction and child development. During she met and married Kurt W. Vanderslice in the St. George LDS Temple Oct. 9, 1993. They were together for 15 years then divorced. They were blessed with two boys, Jaxon and Parker. She said they were her greatest accomplishment and joy! She also competed in and won the 1994 Miss Wheelchair Utah pageant, serving in that capacity for a year, with many public appearances and speaking engagements. Rachel was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and especially loved serving in the Young Women’s program along with speaking at many fire sides and church talks about her injury and sharing her positive attitude. She exemplified “endure to the end,” and her example was a lesson to all of us. Rachel had many talents, architecture, drafting, and designing her own homes, interior design, and crafting beautiful wreaths. She enjoyed dancing, horseback riding, four-wheeling and collecting miniature toys. But above all else she loved her boys! Rachel is survived by: her children, Jaxon and Parker of St. George, UT; siblings: Martene (Percival) of Las Vegas, NV, Daniel (Robalyn) of Iona, ID, Wickley (Ann) of Erda, UT, Grace of LaVerkin, UT, and Clarence (Emily) of Eagle Mnt., UT. She was preceded in death by: her parents, and her sister Diane. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. at the LaVerkin Stake Center, 481 N. Main St., LaVerkin, UT. A visitation will be held prior to the services from 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow the service at the LaVerkin City Cemetery.

Rachel Anne Gubler Vanderslice

April 5, 1971 - December 25, 2015