97, died peacefully in the care of her family on November 15, 2010.
Grace and her twin sister Gladys were born in Christine, ND on April 2, 1913 to their mother, Hannah Hoyem. Grace and Gladys had an older sister Harriet and older brother Melvin. Grace developed her strong work ethic from her mother, who worked hard in their small town to support her four children. Grace grew up true to her Norwegian heritage, learning how to make lefse, flatbread, sute supe, krumkakka, fattigman, sandbakkels, and rosettes at a young age. She was also quite proud of her participation on her high school basketball team.
Grace met her husband, Percy, at a local dance and frequently told stories of how much fun they had dancing together. To Grace, dancing was true happiness. After getting married in 1933, Grace and Percy lived in outside Colfax, North Dakota in a one-room school house where Percy taught first through eighth grades, and Grace was a homemaker. Percy eventually took a job with Great Northern Railroad as a trainmaster, moving around often and living in several Midwest cities ~ St. Paul, MN, Wilmar MN, Devils Lake, ND, and Grand Forks ND ~ which Grace always remembered and thought of with fondness.
Fourteen years into their marriage, Grace gave birth to their son Jon and the family eventually moved to the Seattle area. Jon was a true blessing, bringing them years of pride as his parents. As a young man, Jon married Linda and gave Grace and Percy the wonderful daughter they never had, who they truly cherished. After Percy’s retirement, Grace and Percy enjoyed traveling to Norway, and spending time with their young grandchildren, and the family dog, Specsy.
Grace and Percy continued to dance together until his death in 1983. Throughout her life, Grace was devoted to her church where she spent countless hours volunteering in many different capacities. She also enjoyed gardening and going on daily walks to stay fit up until 2004 when she broke her hip. She adored her family and loved spending time with her son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughters. She especially treasured the countless times her granddaughters would come over for frequent weekend sleepovers, very special time with grandma, and talk about paraphernalia.
Grace kept her Norwegian heritage alive by preparing and eating Norwegian delights throughout her life. She enjoyed eating brokrube with her husband and son regularly. Up until a few years ago she would proudly, and impressively, eat platefuls of lutefisk at the annual lutefisk dinner at the Sons of Norway with her family.
Grace lived alone since 1983, fiercely independent in her lifestyle, until she died in 2010. Her mind was always sharp and she would passionately stay informed about local and national politics up until her final days – watching Meet the Press, reading Newsweek, and proudly sharing her opinions with her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Percy, twin-sister, Gladys, and many other close family and friends. She was dearly loved and we will miss her warmth and wisdom, independent spirit, devotion to family, and wonderful sense of humor. Grace is survived by her son, Jon, daughter-in-law, Linda, two granddaughters, Kristen (Chad) and Katie (Teddy), two great-grandchildren (Madeline and Elliott), and many dear members of her extended family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Grace’s name to Childhaven (https://www.childhaven.org/donate.aspx or 206.624.6477).