Obituaries : Donald Edward Grace

Donald Edward Grace, 81, of rural Shellsburg, Iowa, and formerly of Oxford, Iowa, died Saturday, Dec. 15, 2023, at UnityPoint-St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Private family services were Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, at White Funeral Home, Independence, Iowa, with burial at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence.

Don was born on Oct. 5, 1942, in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Gerald Eugene Grace and Anna Bernice (Mahoney) Grace. He was raised in rural Oxford and graduated high school from Oxford with the Class of 1961. He worked as a farmer and in 1968 he bought a farm in rural Shellsburg and has farmed the ground there ever since. In September of 1972, he was united in marriage to Nancy Patricia Belgarde at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Urbana, Iowa. Together they made their home on the farm in Shellsburg and raised their two daughters, Katie and Joan. Don was a hard worker. He could fix anything, and he liked his country Western TV shows. He didn't talk much, but when he spoke you had better listen, because he had a lesson to teach. He had a soft side too, especially with the care of his Border Collie, Ralph.

Don is survived by one daughter, Katie Grace of Englewood, Colo.; two sisters, Judy Cochran and Ginny Meade, both of Oxford, Iowa; one brother, Ted (Rose) Grace of Tiffin, Iowa; his brother-in-law, Charles "Chuck" (Jeanie) Belgarde of Fairfield, Iowa; his sister-in-law, Liz (Randy Svoboda) Belgarde of Shueyville, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; his parents; his wife, Nancy on Dec. 2, 2020; his daughter, Joan Elizabeth Grace on Feb. 7, 1998; and two brothers-in-law, Bob Cochran and Laverne "Butch" Meade.

Memorials may be directed to the family. Condolences may be placed at White-MtHope.com. White Funeral Home, Independence, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.