After 96 years and never a cross word toward another, Rachael Lucille Knight of Benton City passed away on May 18, 2001, surrounded by her children.

 Rachael was born in Spring Green, Wisconsin on May 3, 1905. Her parents were Adelaide and Hannibal Hatch. In 1926, she married her high school sweetheart, Kenneth Knight, and they farmed in Knight Hollow near Arena until 1937, when they struck out for Washington State, settling in White Bluffs. After moving back

to the Wisconsin farm for several years, they returned to Washington, settling in Benton City in 1944. There they established a small working farm and raised their five children.

 Rachael was a tiny woman whose fragile appearance belied an astounding inner strength.  She was an old-fashioned Christian lady who lived her life by the Golden Rule, shared generously with others even in the days when she had little herself, and centered her life around her family. Her friends and family knew her as a kind, gentle, and extremely witty woman whose

self-effacing sense of humor stayed with her until the very end.

 She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Benton City, the Women ' s Society of Christian Service, and the Highland Ladies' Club, whose lively members gave her many fond memories and lasting friendships.

 The youngest of seven children who preceded her in death, Rachael joins a large, loving family, including Ken, her husband of 63 years.

 She is survived by her five children, Carole Don Dvorak of Benton City; Kerwin Joyce Knight of Sacramento, California; Craig RaNae Knight of Richland; Claudia Michael Alongi of Winlock; Mimi Steve Reidel Knight of Benton

City; and surrogate son Kay Patterson of Benton City. She also leaves five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and a great-great grandson. She was also helped greatly in her later years by three loving caregivers: Cathy Peterson, Jessica Johnson, and Linda Niebuhr.

 A memorial service will be held Thursday, May 24, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Benton City. Memorial contributions can be sent to the First United Methodist Church in Benton City .

 Rachael took up such little space on this Earth, but her passing leaves a huge void.