Kenneth Maynard Grace

Kenneth M. Grace passed away peacefully on June 14, 2015 in Selah, Washington surrounded by family. Kenneth was born in Superior, Wisconsin on May 24, 1924 to George W. Grace and Lenora Jensen. Ken and his siblings lived their early years in North Dakota and were orphaned when Kenneth was six years old. Kenneth and his brothers were raised on a farm in Northern Minnesota and after high school graduation Ken traveled to Oregon to work in the ship yards. He enlisted in the Army after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and served in the European Theater during WWII. Kenneth then returned stateside to attend college at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. He met Olive Constance Krefting at UND and they married in June 1947. Post-graduation Kenneth attended the University of Denver in Colorado and received his Master’s in social work.

Kenneth spent his career years as a children’s psychiatric social worker. His memories of being orphaned drew him to help children find a positive path in life. He practiced in Minnewukan, Minnesota; Fargo, North Dakota and Marshall, Minnesota. Kenneth was then offered the opportunity to establish the Bellevue Washington Eastside Community Mental Health Center and served as the administrator until 1972. Kenneth and family then moved to Dallas, Texas where he worked as a Federal Public Health Administrator until his retirement in 1991.

Kenneth and Olive raised four children during their life long journey. They loved travel and golf and time with friends and family, especially Olive’s large Norwegian clan.

Kennth was an accomplished artist (watercolors and oil). He loved French culture, subscribed to French newspapers and would often don a chef’s hat and apron when preparing a meal. He loved to ice skate and many family memories centered on community ice skating with family and friends.

Kenneth is survived by his four children Keith (Tina) Grace Yakima, WA, Barbara (Max) Linden Selah, WA, David Grace Kent, WA, Cathy (Brian) Womack Mesquite, TX; grandchildren Cameron Grace, Justin Grace, Bree (Sean) Tait, Brady (Rosa) Linden, Courtney Womack, Whitney Womack; great-grandson Finnegan Tait; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his spouse Olive Constance Grace, parents George and Lenora Grace, brothers Irving and Leonard and sister Betty.

A special thank you to Selah Family Medicine (Dr. Zingerman) and Yakima Valley Memorial Hospice (Kathy, Kate and Dr. Waber). Your support for quality end of life issues is phenomenal.

At Kenneth’s request a private family memorial is being planned.

The family requests any memorial contributions be donated to Yakima Valley Memorial Hospice.