Eternal Rest
In the early morning hours of Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, on the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, in the Jubilee Year of Hope, our precious Gabbie saw the face of Jesus and entered eternal life with Him at the age of 29 at her home in Cottonwood, Idaho. Gabrielle Ann Rehder was born on Aug. 18, 1995, to Joe and Charlene Rehder in Kennewick, Wash. She was baptized Catholic on Aug. 25, 1995, and remained a strong and faithful follower of Jesus her entire life. Her greatest desire was for everyone to know and love Jesus and she lived her life as a testimony to His love. Wherever Gabbie lived, she was quick to make friends with those around her and she cherished time with her family and friends. Gabbie was diagnosed with a rare mitochondrial illness, Kearns-Sayre Syndrome, in 2009, which she did not allow to break her spirit. She was passionately pro-life, loved politics, and was a fierce defender of the unborn and the suffering. Despite the many trials she faced throughout her life, she remained steadfast in her belief and was an inspiration to all who knew her. Gabbie evangelized by blogging. Her current blog on Substack, “Take Heart”, allowed her to share her journey and impact lives. Gabbie documented her journey in an article published in Imprint magazine, “Anchored in the Heart of God.” Though her time on earth was short, Gabbie’s life was full. One of her greatest joys was being a godmother. Her godchildren, Ava Nuxoll, Fay Kennedy, Drew Forsmann, Daniel Demarest and J.J. May brought her tremendous joy. She also treasured sponsoring Trina Frei and Monica Goeckner in Confirmation. Gabbie volunteered as a catechist for Catholic Religious Education, teaching first graders, assisting with Confirmation, and working with those seeking to become Catholic. She also helped at preschools in both Kennewick and Cottonwood. Gabbie volunteered at the Senior Citizen Center and loved serving this community each week. She bought chocolates every Christmas to share her love with these dear friends. Gabbie was involved in three Bible Studies and had countless friends. She had a gift at communicating her love for others. Her joy, infectious laugh, and ability to bring a smile to everyone’s face will be deeply missed. Gabbie is survived by her parents, Joe and Charlene Rehder; her siblings: Sister Jordan Rose, S.V., Maddie (Sawyer Shepherd), Nicole (husband Dalton Klosterman), and Max. She is also survived by her grandparents, Richard and Dorothy Nuxoll, and her soon-to-be-born nephew, Baby Klosterman. She was preceded in death by her sister, Jennifer, and grandparents, Lee and Barbara Rehder. A Vigil Service was held Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. A Rosary and Mass of Christian burial were held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cottonwood on Jan. 17, 2025, followed by interment at the Cottonwood Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Blackmer Funeral Home, Grangeville, Idaho. Send condolences to the family to blackmerfuneralhome.com. Gabbie chose a scripture to live by in 2025. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love.” 1 John 4:18. Gabbie's Obituary Printed in the Idaho County Free Press
Readings at Gabbie's Funeral
First Reading
Wisdom 3: 1 – 9 The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if to others, indeed, they seem punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their judgment they shall shine and dart about as sparks through stubble; They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect.
Psalm
Ps 139 R. I praise you, for I am wonderfully made. O LORD, you have probed me, you know me: you know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. My journeys and my rest you scrutinize, with all my ways you are familiar. Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother's womb. I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works. My soul also you knew full well; nor was my frame unknown to you When I was made in secret, when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth.
Second Reading
1 John 11-19 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us. This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us, that he has given us of his Spirit. Moreover, we have seen and testify that the Father sent his Son as savior of the world. Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God. We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. In this is love brought to perfection among us, that we have confidence on the day of judgment because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.
Gospel
John 14:1-6 Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
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Gabbie was laid to rest at Cottonwood Cemetery
Come you weary heart now to Jesus
Come you anxious soul now and see
There is perfect love and comfort in your tears
Rest here in His wondrous peace
Oh the goodness, the goodness of Jesus
Satisfied, He is all that I need
May it be, come what may, that I rest all my days
In the goodness of Jesus
- "The Goodness of Jesus" by CityAlight