Grace GILBERT HOUCHENS

Grace I. HOUCHENS, 92, formerly of Hiawatha, died Monday afternoon, November 30, 2009, at STORMONT-VAIL Hospital in Topeka where she had been a patient for a week. She was born October 31, 1917, at Granada, Kansas, one of six children of Oliver and Lula JACOBIA GILBERT. Grace was a member of the First Christian Church of Hiawatha for over 60 years. She also was a lifetime member of the BPOE #1741, Hiawatha Elks Lodge; and the LaGrange Social Club. She was an employee of the former Brown County Infirmary and later became a certified nurse aide. She subsequently worked at Oak Ridge Acres in Hiawatha. She worked as a cook for six years at Hiawatha Elks Club prior to owning and operating a restaurant for several years in Horton known at "The Huddle Cafe". She later worked at Heartland Restaurant in Hiawatha for a short time until hip surgery led her to stop working. Grace married Virgil Lee SLACK in 1938. To this union a daughter Janet was born. He passed away unexpectedly in 1961. She later married Marvin HOUCHENS who died in 1989. She was also preceded in death by her parents; sisters: Lola PORTER, Norma JURGENSMEIER; a brother Alvin GILBERT; grandson-in-law Larry CHEEK; and a great-granddaughter Beth MONSON. Survivors include her daughter Janet GRIFFITH of Topeka; two grand-daughters Alisa CHEEK of Auburn, KS, Darla (Jeff) TAYLOR of Topeka; 6 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Lillian YOUNG of Sabetha, and Alice WOODSON of Muncie, Indiana; many wonderful nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Funeral services are planned for 11 a.m. Friday, December 4, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha. The family will meet with friends one hour prior to services Friday. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Hiawatha First Christian Church Memorial Fund or Heart of America Hospice of Topeka, which may be sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434. www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com Grace HOUCHENS.