ROBERT RUSSELL GRACE
Robert Russell Grace was born on December 7, 1957 in Mount Ayr, IA to Lawrence and Lois (Hutchinson) Grace. He lived outside of Bedford until the second grade, when the family moved to Diagonal. Early on, Robert learned the value of work by mowing yards, delivering papers and working for area farmers. These experiences allowed him to make life-long friendships. Friendships were always important to Robert and he spent many weekends hanging out with friends, scooping the loop in his prized Mustang and raising a little ‘cane.’ Throughout his life, Robert loved doing fishing, coyote hunting and tinkering in his garage.
Robert graduated from Diagonal High School in 1976 and went to work on road construction. After marrying Pam Sobotka, his high school sweetheart, on January 26, 1979, he knew it was important to stay close to home, so he began working as a janitor at the Diagonal School. Later, Pam and Robert purchased the local grocery store and worked side-by-side until Robert began doing carpentry work as part of the Matura weatherization program and restoring vacant homes in Diagonal. During this time, Jeremy joined the family in 1980 followed by Steven in 1983.
He loved his boys more than anything and taught them all he knew about fixing cars, go-kart racing and pick-up pulling. Nothing could trump his boys until his grandchildren arrived. He loved nothing more than to visit with people about his grandchildren. At family dinners he was always the favorite with all the young kids, too. Robert was generous with his time and carpentry skills as he would often help Arlene with projects at the Printing Museum and his nieces and nephews with 4-H projects. He could build and fix just about anything. After retiring from carpentry, Robert took up farming and loved all of it. He also enjoyed cruising on his Harley.
Robert passed away on September 23, 2020. He was preceded in death by his father, Lawrence; his brother, Larry; in-laws, Carol and Arlene Sobotka; and grandparents.
Robert is survived by his wife, Pam; sons, Jeremy (Allison) and Steven (Lasea); grandchildren, Channler, Tabby, Koda, Rylee, Avery, Claire, Colby and grandchild number eight on the way; mother, Lois Grace; sisters, Virginia (Dan) Greubel and Brenda (Derald) Schaefer of Diagonal and many other relatives.
Services were at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 28, 2020 at the Diagonal Cemetery in Diagonal, IA.
Officiating were Rev. Gwen Trullinger and Pastor Bill Armstrong.
Casketbearers were Jason Stamps, Jason Smith, Justin Cook, James Tull, JP Whittington and Ryan England.
Honorary pallbearers were Bryan Cook, Richard Cooper, Danny Rinehart and Chuck Klejch.
Burial was at the Diagonal Cemetery in Diagonal, IA.
Memorials are for a Diagonal Scholarship Fund.
