Rachel Jayne Wade, 23, died in her home in Colorado Springs on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2006. She attended the University of Nebraska, Omaha during the fall semester of 2001, when she played volleyball and was a staff writer for the Gateway. She also attend Colorado State University her junior year.

Wade was struck by lightning on July 25, 2003, at the Gleneagle Golf Club pool in Colorado Springs, where she was working as a lifeguard. She and two other lifeguards were struck while driving a golf cart to the clubhouse. The bolt threw the other two passengers out of the cart but stopped Wade's heart.

A passing sheriff's deputy saw the golf cart and managed to revive Rachel by CPR; she was not expected to survive the night.

However, she held on for three years and was transferred to the care of her parents in January 2004, where she spent her remaining two years.

You'll never know how much I have thanked the Lord for each of you. Our Mighty God has provided everything Rachel and our family ever needed through it all. Each of you had a part-in prayer, in caring for Rachel, giving, feeding, loving, and so many other ways.
                                                                         Steve Wade, Rachel's Father


Survivors also include her mother Rita, sister Brienne, brother John as well as grandmother, aunts and uncles.