Obit: Stevens, Grace Phyllis (1922 - 2015)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Stevens, Rheingens, Johnson, Mitchell, Mandigo

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 4/29/2015

Stevens, Grace Phyllis (24 January 1922 - 25 April 2015)

Grace Phyllis Stevens, 93, of Humbird passed away Thursday, April 23, 2015, at her home while under the care of Black River Memorial Hospice. She was born Jan. 24, 1922, in Spooner to Frank and Minnie (Rheingens) Johnson.

Grace attended Serona Elementary School and graduated from Spooner High School in 1940. She later attended four years at Eau Claire State College, receiving her degree in English and history, graduating at the top of her class in 1945.

Grace taught at several area schools, her first position being at the Humbird High School. She later taught at Athens, Granton and Hixton, and she retired after 18 years from the school district of Alma Center-Humbird-Merrillan in 1984.

Grace was married to Ernest Stevens June 12, 1948, in Spooner. Together they had a daughter, Erma Kaye, who later passed away at the age of two. They lived in Humbird throughout their married life.

Teaching she was involved in forensics as a coach, sold tickets at ball games and was an active member of Wisconsin Education Association.

After retirement, Grace volunteered as the head librarian at the Humbird Library for over 25 years, a reading mentor at the local elementary school and read to the four-year-old kindergarten classes. She was an active member of the Jackson County UW-Extension, Homemaker/HCE, serving as treasurer/secretary of Happy Hour Homemakers of Humbird, international chairman of the HCE County Board and also served on the HCE District Board. Grace served as treasurer for the Town of Mentor and St. John’s UCC Women’s fellowship. She belonged to the Humbird Quilters Club, the Humbird Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and was secretary for the American Legion Auxiliary Post 320.

Grace has received the ‘Community Leadership Award’ from the UW-Extension Homemakers, ‘Friend of the Fire Department Award’ twice, and the ‘Citizen of the year award 2008-2009’ from the Fairchild Lions Club.

Her travels included the Scandinavian countries and Germany. Grace traveled widely in the United States as well. In her later years, she enjoyed short trips to area shows with the Jackson County Prime Time Club, Home Spun and Betty Larson Tours.

Grace was a treasured friend and great aunt to many and will be greatly missed. She had a heart of gold, caring g deeply for her family, friends and all animals, especially cats. Grace was quite adamant about education and helped many family members with their continuing education opportunities.

She is survived by nieces and nephews.

Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Ernie, April 29, 2011; daughter, Erma Kaye; parents, Frank and Minnie; siblings; special nephew, Ralph Mitchell; and many other nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 28, 2015, at 11 a.m. at Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home, Hixton. Greg Mandigo officiated. Burial followed in Mentor Cemetery, Humbird.

Family and friends were invited for visitation Monday, April 27, 2015, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home, Hixton. Family and Friends were also invited for visitation Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.

Online condolences are available at www.jensen-modjeskifuneralhome.com.  Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home of Hixton assisted the family with arrangements.