Keiser, Grace Elsie

Grace Elsie Keiser, 97, of North English, died on Sunday, March 13, 2011 at Mercy Iowa City. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 17, at the Powell Funeral Home in North English. The Rev. Michelle Williamson will officiate. Visitation will be from 6to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Powell Funeral Home. Burial will be in the North English Cemetery.

A memorial fund has been established for the North English Library and the United Methodist Church.

Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.

Grace Elsie Keiser was born on August 19, 1913, east of North English, Iowa, a daughter of Denver and Martha Sears. She graduated from North English High School in 1931. Grace took normal training classes and taught several years in country schools. She was united in marriage to James Arthur Keiser on June 1, 1935, in Sigourney. They farmed in the Green Valley community, east of North English, until moving into town. She was a member of the North English United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, Merry Mixers Club and the English Valleys Care Review. Grace enjoyed farming with Jim, traveling, ice cream and the daily crossword puzzle. Most of all she loved spending time with her family and grandchildren.

She is survived by a daughter, Kathy O'Rourke and her husband, John of North English; two sons, Gary Keiser and his wife, Joan of Williamsburg, and Stan Keiser and his wife, Linda of Iowa City; seven grandchildren, Julie (Doug) Hansen, Scott (Twyla) Keiser, Brian Keiser, Shelly (Joe) Westfall, Doug (Brenda) Keiser, Jason O'Rourke and Kimberly (Jake) Schleusner; eight great-grandchildren, Wayne Gott, Lori (Josh) Lubin, Cody and Bailey Westfall, Danielle and Samantha Keiser, and Lauryn and Jenna Grace Schleusner; and two great-great-grandchildren, Ellie Lubin and Addalyn Gott.

Grace was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James in December 2004;, a grandson, Christopher John O'Rourke; great-grandson, Timothy Gott; brothers, Marion, Ronald and Frederick Sears; and sisters, Elizabeth Smith and Eva Rock.