Grace Foster
December 23, 2012
Grace Arlene Jackson was born October 5, 1924, in rural Ringgold County, near Kellerton, Iowa, and departed this life peacefully on Sunday, December 23, 2012, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Grace was the fifth of six children born to Katheryn M. Webb and Mervyn G. Jackson. Grace grew to womanhood and attended elementary and high school in Ringgold County. From 1942–1946, Grace taught school in one-room schools through the rural school system of Decatur and Ringgold counties: Zion, Tingley, and Athen.
In 1946, Grace was united in marriage to Virgil Lewis Foster, and moved to Des Moines. Before that marriage dissolved, Grace and Virgil had one son, Dana Lewis Foster. Grace loved being a mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
Grace was employed with the Iowa State Department of Public Health from 1952-1958. She was employed by Iowa Farm Bureau from 1958 until her retirement in 1983. At Farm Bureau, she worked in the “machine unit” which was the early form of computers. After retirement, Grace moved back to Kellerton into the Jackson family home.
Grace enjoyed family history, writing letters to relatives near and far to gather ancestry information. With that research, Grace was able to provide eligibility memberships with the following organizations: Daughters of the American Revolution, the Sovereign Colonial Society of Americans of Royal Descent (eligibility for membership is based on lineal descent from one or more Kings), the National Society of the Magna Charta Dames (eligibility for membership is based upon lineal descent who signed the Magna Charta), and the Plantagenet Society (eligibility for membership is based upon lineal descent from one or more of the Plantagenet Kings of England).
Grace was baptized on May 14, 1944, at the Church of Christ in Kellerton. Preceding her in death were her parents; brothers, W.J., Gilbert, Oran and Rex; and sister, Eileen Miller.
Celebrating her life are her son, Dana (Marlys) Foster; grandson, Daniel Lewis (Amy) Foster; granddaughter, Rebecca Faye (John) Foster Tank; great grandchildren, Johnathan, Nattalie, and Daniel Tank, and Zachary and Zoie Foster; nieces; nephews; and a host of other family and friends.
The visitation will be held 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. prior to the service. Funeral service will be 2:30 p.m. Friday, December 28, 2012, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, with a dessert reception to follow. Burial for Grace will be 10 a.m., Saturday, December 29, 2012, at the Maple Row Cemetery in Kellerton, Iowa.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Dick Jackson
12/30/2012
Dana, my memories of Grace were her time here in Kellerton. She was an excellent source of family history, and knew so much about our family. She will be missed.
Ray and Janet Jackson
12/30/2012
Dana, may your mother rest in peace. I have nothing but fun and laughter filled memories of my Great Aunt Grace. Growing up I remember her always taking the time to play games with my sisters and I. She would always make things exciting, fun and humorous. She will be greatly missed. Please accept our sympathy for your loss.
Raymond L. Jackson
12/28/2012
Dana, a time like this is difficult for so many people. May it comfort you to know that there is support with you at all times from friends and loved ones. Aunt Grace, as a member of the DAR and other ancestry patriootic organizations, was a true patriot who lived it everyday.
Please know we are thinking of you with sympathy as members of the Captain John Smoot Chapter, Maryland Society of the American Revolution..
.
Kaylinda (Jackson) Tipsword & Gary
12/26/2012
Dana,
I just received word of your mother passing. I have wonderful, fun memories of my Great Aunt Grace. She was an inspiring, strong woman and she loved to share life with others. Please accept my sympathy in your loss.