Grace A. Fennema, 91, of Avon

Grace died Monday, November 24, 2008 at the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall, SD. A memorial gathering will be held at the Meadow View manor in Avon, SD on Saturday, November 29, 2008 from 2 PM until 4 PM. Private family burial will be at a later date. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Chapel in Avon is in charge of arrangements.

Grace Alberta Fennema was born in rural Dante, South Dakota on June 11, 1917, the daughter of Garret and Gertie (Knoll) Fennema. She died Monday, November 24, 2008 at the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall, SD. Grace attained the age of 91 years, five months and 13 days.

Grace attended Steckman School in rural Charles Mix County and graduated from Avon High School in 1935. She graduated from Southern Normal Teachers College in Springfield, SD with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Grace taught school in rural Bon Homme County; White, SD; Richland, WA; Sedro Woolley, WA and Tacoma, WA as an Elementary school teacher. She retired from teaching in 1976 and returned to South Dakota to be close to family and friends.

Grace was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Washington State Teachers Union, Washington State Retired Teachers Organization, Washington State Mountaineers and the Avon Senior Center.

Grace will be remembered for her enjoyment of pinochle with friends at center, people stopping by for coffee, traveling, and her love of children and family.

Thankful for having shared her life are her sister-in-law, Margery Fennema of Tyndall; niece, Lu Ellen and husband Vennie Hiebel, of Pierre; two nephews: Gary and wife Pam Fennema of Avon and Gale Fennema of Dante; seven great nieces and nephews: Brett, Scott, Lee, Kieth, Katie, Ted and Marie, and a special friend, Louise Troll of Platte.

Grace was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers: Ted, Pete and don Fennema.