Shirley Grace
Shirley Grace
Shirley Grace

Obituary of Shirley Lea Grace

Shirley Lea (Harvey) Grace was born August 11, 1930 in Hazard, NE to Roscoe A. and Mabel M. Harvey. Her Grandma Adell and the doctor were on the way, but they didn't make it in time to deliver Shirley. The new parents had to make do until the experts arrived. The Harveys moved away from Nebraska during the Great depression and lived in various places in Eastern Oregon. Even living in a sheepherder's tent for a short time before settling on the Oregon Slope. Shirley attended Lincoln Grade School, Jefferson Grade School, and graduated from Ontario High School in 1948. She wanted to become a nurse, but her Grandma Adell talked her out of it. Then she wanted to go to LaGrande to become a teacher, but Bill wanted her to stay home and be a housewife. Shirley accepted Jesus as her Savior while attending Lincoln Grade School and put the Lord first, above everything else. God fulfilled her desire to be a teacher, even though it wasn't in the conventional way. She was a Sunday School teacher for many years, taught piano lessons, cooking lessons, caning lessons, crochet lessons, and impromptu pre-school. She hosted Bible Studies in her home and taught her grandkids how to play a multitude of card games. Bill saw Shirley riding her bike to a friend's house, turned to his dad and said, "That's the girl I'm going to marry". Bill married Shirley on June 2, 1949, at his aunt's house in Payette. Bill and Shirley welcomed their first son, William Hal Grace, on June 18, 1950, then Richard Lee Grace on June 24, 1954. Bill and Shirley lived and worked on the family ranch, raising cattle, crops, and kids. Shirley was usually found behind the wheel of a truck during harvest and cattle drives. She also drove their very first tractor, a Ford Jubilee, to rake and load hay. Shirley's personal venture was raising Holstein calves for her spending money. She always raised a garden every year and enjoyed harvesting her raspberries and walnuts. As a high schooler, Shirley wanted to learn to play piano for church. She rode her bicycle back and forth to her lessons. She played piano at Park Community Church for 70 years, with her last performance on November 14, 2021. She taught piano lessons to various kids, her grandkids, and great grandkids. Her favorite past-time was crocheting, her masterpieces were dollies that graced the tables at each grandkid's wedding. She made countless baby blankets as gifts, baby hats for BESTWA mission in Liberia, Africa, and in recent years scrubbies. Shirley was a very content to sit in the evenings and crochet while a baseball or football game was on TV. She taught her grandkids and great grandkids to crochet and proudly attended the fair to see their 4-H project on display. Bill and Shirley were pillars of the community; both serving as 4-H leaders, fair board members, church board members, Sunday School teachers, members of the grange, square dancing partners, and all-around supporters of the community. They started taking mini vacations to the Sumpter Flea Market in 1978 and regularly camped out during the summer weekends for the next 30 years. Family was a HUGE part of Shirley's life. She took the role of Grandma very seriously and was more than pleased to be asked to babysit her great grandkids. Shirley used to fix breakfast for the family every morning until Bill passed away. If anyone was around the house at mealtime, she would offer to fix them a meal. Many birthdays and holidays were at Shirley's house, and they weren't complete without her homemade ice cream and crazy cake. Shirley took great pride in her yard and in later years her great grandkids helped her mow the grass. They had a standing date every week for piano lessons, yard work, and lunch. Her chicken and noodles were famous among the grandkids, and she gave cooking lessons to teach her kids how to make their favorite dishes. They could never leave without playing a few rounds of card games. At the age of 91, Shirley peacefully went home to be with her Lord and Savior on November 18, 2021. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, son Rick, and granddaughter Erin. She is survived by her son Hal Grace (Kelly), grandchildren Kris Wall (Alex), Nick Grace (Rachel), great grandchildren Jackson Wall (Emily), Elisabeth Netjes, Hannah Grace, Charlianne Grace, William Grace, and great-great grandson Jess Wall. Graveside service will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Payette, ID on Nov. 24, 2021 at 11 a.m. with a dinner to follow at Park Community Church at 193 Holly Rd, Ontario. Arrangements are under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel. Memorials may be made to Park Community Church, c/o Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, P.O. Box 730, Payette, ID 83661. Condolences may be made to Grace's family at www.shafferjensen.com. Service Details. Service When: Wednesday, November 24th, 2021 11:00am Location: Riverside Cemetery Address: 1969 River Rd Payette, Idaho 83661 Reception Wednesday, November 24th, 2021 | When: Wednesday, November 24th, 2021 Location: Park Community Church Address: 193 Holly Rd Ontario, Oregon 97914 Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event Ongoing Online Event About this event In Loving Memory Of Shirley Grace August 11, 1930 - November 18, 2021 Look inside to read what others have shared Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book
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