She arrived in the spring along with the birds and the flowers and the sunshine. And just like with spring after a cold, dark winter, she brought beauty, warmth and hope into her world, as natural as the turning of the seasons. She was a force, a font of wisdom, and a guiding light for so many.

Rachel Mae Hossner (née Fouste) was born on April 16, 1954, to Donald W. Fouste and Betty J. Fouste (née Tippett), the fourth of five children. Her initial years were spent on the family farm at Rogersburg, Wash. In 1958, her family established a secondary residence in Clarkston so Rachel and her older sister, Sharon, could attend school before leaving the ranch completely in 1962. But as any true rancher knows, the kid may leave the farm, but the farm never leaves the kid. She kept a horse well into her teen years, and spent many hours riding through the countryside. She adored the outdoors, and ranked her summers at Camp Four Echoes and time spent at the Chimney Bar family cabin in Hells Canyon as some of her best childhood memories. Rachel was a bright, highly intelligent student excelling in her studies, and a Girl Scout of seven years.

In addition to mastering the traditional skills of young ladies of the time — baking, cooking, sewing, first aid, volunteerism, gardening, etc. — her interests expanded beyond into history, psychology and the arts, with dance being especially meaningful to her. To this day, those fortunate enough to have witnessed her mesmerizing performances remember the dazzling grace, passion and composure expressed when Rachel set foot to stage. She graduated from Clarkston High School in 1972, and kept in touch with many of her lifelong friends and classmates over the years.

Ever one to stay busy, Rachel’s first job was in 1971 as a sales clerk at Lee Morris, Co. in downtown Clarkston. Afterwards, she spent a few years as a secretary in production control at CCI/Speer (Omark) and as personnel manager at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center. After a seven-year stint as a stay-at-home mom, Rachel returned to the workforce with renewed focus and purpose. She began working for Interlink in 1986, which led to her role in 1992 as regional facilitator for the National Federation of Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers where she mentored and helped start up over 60 nonprofit programs along the west coast. She worked once again for CCI/Speer (ATK) from 1998-2003 as employment manager before deciding to pursue her lifelong dream of attaining a college degree. She graduated from Lewis-Clark State College in 2004 with her Bachelor’s in Business and Education (Psychology) Interdisciplinary, and in 2006 she received her master’s in Psychology from Washington State University. Over the next span of years, she was employed as adjunct faculty at both LCSC and WSU, and worked for Quality Behavioral Health. Her proudest personal achievement occurred in 2012 when she opened her own private practice, LifeWorks Counseling. Rachel was not one to merely give someone a fish; she sought to help people in need build resiliency and learn how to navigate through hard times so they could fish for themselves. In this endeavor, she succeeded tenfold. Through this work, she sparkled and shone.

Rachel married her high school sweetheart, Terry Nichols, right out of school, and like many young romances, it burned fiercely but quickly. While the marriage did not last, she remembered her life with Terry fondly and with a genuine appreciation reserved only for the unbridled luster of youth. She was married to Kenneth Reaves (d. 2014) from 1977 to 1987, produced two beautiful daughters, and resided in Oroville, Calif., and Salem, Ore., throughout. As a stay-at-home mom, Rachel spent her days sewing darling dresses and blankets; teaching her children how to bake, play piano and dance; and keeping homes that could have been featured in Good Housekeeping or Sunset magazines. She returned to Clarkston in 1987 to care for her ailing mother, and upon the end of her marriage, re-entered the workforce. Through her work she met the love of her life, her soulmate, Bryan Hossner. They were wed in 1991, and later produced a long-wished-for son and a daughter from the realm of fairies. Bryan recognized the passion and potential within Rachel and helped her accomplish her wish of owning the ice cream parlor near LCSC that was renowned for its licorice ice cream, and he fully supported her in attaining her college degrees. Their marriage lasted 35 years; her devoted soulmate held her hand until the end. Rachel would want those reading this to know that it’s never too late to realize your dreams; the right person is the one who supports your pursuit of said dreams and who allows you to support them in theirs.

I could go on for pages more about the wonderful woman who passed beyond the veil on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. She spent a decade of summers hiking through the Canadian mountains. She endured a dire tsunami warning while in Hawaii with her youngest daughter. She danced to the Beatles’ “Blackbird” with her son on his wedding day. She dedicated her final decade to her clients, her family, and her special circle. She loved her fairy garden and visiting with her several grandchildren, grand-kitty cats, and grand-dogs. She arrived in the spring and left in the days just before its return. She knew it was time; she understood the turning of the seasons. I could go on, but will leave you with this: she acted with high-mindedness, honor and dignity; she was grace personified.

Rachel is preceded in death by her mother (Betty Fouste), her father (Don Fouste), her eldest brother (Don E. Fouste), and baby sister (Jessica Joanne Fouste). She is survived by her husband (Bryan Hossner); two siblings (Bob Fouste and Sharon Brown); four children (Sarah Reaves, Emily Ashby, Lucas Hossner, and Katie Hossner); four grandchildren (Aleister Jacobson, Jamie Cserepes, Chaz Ashby and Piper Ashby); her oldest and dearest friends (Catherine Armstrong and Dawn Ann Hughes); several grand-pets including favorite grand-dog (Paia) and grand-cat (Sterling); as well as everyone who knew and loved her. She saw and loved you all in return.

A memorial service will be held in the spring and information will be shared later in March. In lieu of flowers or monetary donations the family suggests volunteering with local community organizations, planting a tree or flower that sparks joy, and extending grace, compassion and a hand to those you meet along life’s journey.

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