Grace V. Lucas

Grace V. Lucas passed away on Friday, May 16, 2014, with her daughters at her side. She was born on July 17, 1929, in Ocheyedan, Iowa, joining brother Ken and parents Bert and Velda Bauermeister.

After graduating from Ocheyedan High School, Grace attended the National College for Christian Workers where she majored in religious education. Upon graduation, she worked as the director of religious education at a Methodist church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It was during this time that she met Robert Lucas on a blind date. That date led to a partnership that lasted a lifetime and they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year. They settled in Missoula where Grace enjoyed a career as an administrative assistant at Printing Services at the University of Montana for 20 years before retiring in 1989.

Born with a compassionate heart and a love of adventure, Grace lived a full life. She loved her family – from husband Bob to children Ann and Jane to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved all of her friends, whether she'd known them since childhood or if she had just met them recently. She loved giving service to others – from fighting for clean air with GASP to working for the less fortunate at the Poverello Center to asking for signatures in support of her favorite political leaders and causes. She was an active member of the Quaker Friends Meeting. She loved nature. Those of us who knew and loved her can easily find a smile as we remember her with a fishing pole in her hand or filling a can with huckleberries or sitting at a campsite playing a card game with her grandchildren. She loved traveling and enjoyed visiting Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Portugal, Africa, Mexico, Costa Rica and China.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory, husband Robert; daughters, Ann Finnegan (Kevin) and Jane Rabe (Mark); grandchildren, Lucas Bateman, Evan Bateman, Ross Rabe, Sean Rabe (Christine) and Cassandra Rabe as well as her great-grandchildren, Jayce and Harper. Also missing her will be sisters-in-law Laura Hoffman of Sioux Falls and Evelyn Bauermeister of Yorbalinda, California, as well as several nephews and nieces.

The family would like to thank The Springs and Riverside Health Care for the comfort and care they provided to Grace.

A celebration of Grace's life will be at a time to be announced later
Read Grace Lucas's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.