Grace Olmsted

GRACE OLMSTED

Iowa City

Mrs. Grace Rosalie Olmsted, 89, passed away Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, after several months of declining cardiopulmonary health. The service to celebrate her long life will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Thursday, Nov. 6. The family will greet friends in the narthex at 10 a.m., funeral service at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Sam Massey officiating; lunch at noon in the fellowship gall; and burial at Memory Gardens about 2 p.m.

Mrs. Olmsted was born May 9, 1925, on a farm near Westchester, Iowa. Her father, William Stephen Munro, an electrical engineer from Iowa State University and a farmer in Washington County, and her mother, Nellie Woodard Munro, a community leader with the 92 Garden Club, welcomed the paving of a dirt road to become IA No. 92 when Grace was 3 years old. Grace was raised in a farming family of Scottish and English ancestry in which, "live your faith, education is the best investment, hard work produces good health and love of family," were the principles. She graduated from Washington High School and then enrolled at the University of Iowa, earning her bachelor's degree in home economics in 1947.

On June 14, 1947, she married Henry Elmer Olmsted Jr. They were blessed with five children, Catherine (Katie) Jean, (spouse Bill Douglas, Greeley, Colo.); John Stephen (spouse Frankie Dermody, Greensboro, N.C.); James Allen (deceased Jan. 6, 1974); Paul Eugene (spouse Pam Marin-Kingsley, Bradford, Mass.); and Richard Lee (spouse Lorraine Martin, Lowell, Mass.).

With a guiding principle of "live your faith," Grace joined First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City when she first enrolled at the University of Iowa in 1943. Being an active member for 71 years, Grace provided care and compassion through her leadership with the board of deacons, the session, pastor search committee, stewardship committee, Pollock Circle, Martha's Circle, president of Women's Council, 24 years as coordinator of wedding and funeral receptions, planner of several Presbytery and Synod meetings and receiving the honorary Presbyterian Women life membership in 1983.

"Education is the best investment" permeated not only through her collegiate career at the University of Iowa, but also with all of her children seeking higher education and her grandchildren all being doctors. Grace continued to support the university of as a life member of the University of Alumni Association, UI Foundation President's Club, an avid Hawkeye football fan and playing clarinet in the UI marching band.

Another principle is "hard work produces good health." After raising her five children, Grace worked as manager at the Quadrangle Coffee Shop on weekday evenings; food supervisor at Lantern Park nursing home; deli supervisor at Hy-Vee First Avenue; and manager of children's clothing at Von Maur.

Her "love of family, neighborhood family and church family" was another principle of her life. Grace was blessed with her five children, five grandchildren: Dr. Shawn Douglas (spouse Jamie Douglas, Lutz, Fla.), Dr. Matt Olmsted (spouse Caline McHenry Olmsted, Charlotte, N.C.), Dr. Courtney Olmsted (spouse Dr. Nancy Johnson, Iowa City), and Dr. Ben Olmsted, Boston, Mass.; and 1.75 great-grandchildren, Fisher James Douglas, 17 months old, Lutz, Fla., and "nugget Olmsted," expected delivery Jan. 21, 2015.

Sally and Dave Yetter from Ames were her only remaining relatives in Iowa, and very special caregivers. Grace had her Oakland Avenue Family, where she became the "neighborhood mom" with living in the same two-bedroom home for 67 years. She was known as "Amazing Grace" with her church family. Grace always remembered birthdays, anniversaries and special holidays with her greeting cards and gifts and her home-baked German sweet chocolate cake or cherry pie from her "secret recipes."

Grace was predeceased in death by her parents, Nellie Munro and W.S. Munro; her brother, Captain D.C. Munro; her son, James Allen Olmsted; and her husband, Henry Elmer Olmsted Jr.

The family is most grateful to Dr. Gregory T. Bozek and his staff of Kelly and Tonya, and to Mrs. Cheryl Mercer and her staff at Crestview Nursing and Rehab Center for the excellent and compassionate care they provided Grace. She was also most fortunate to have a roommate, "sister," and confidant with Janice Lee during their last chapter of life. Jan Wicks, a close family friend from church, was with Grace on the beautiful evening that she left this life for eternal life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to First Presbyterian Church, 2701 Rochester Ave., Iowa City, IA 52245; (319) 351-2660.

Online condolences may be sent for her family through the Web at www.gayandciha.com.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Grace's family and her services.