Grace Mae Roice

Grace Roice, 90, passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 28, 2013, just 9 days after being diagnosed with cancer. She was surrounded by her family in her own home. In September Mama was very critically ill. We were given a miracle and received a bonus of four more months with her.

Grace was born January 7, 1923, the 5th of nine children of Lydia (nee Miller) and John T. Strain in Everton, Marion Co, Arkansas. When she was 13 years old, the family moved to Eden, Idaho where her father farmed. The kids thought everyone in Idaho was rich and they soon would be too. However, she said they just traded one kind of work for another.

In 1942, she met John Roice and after a whirlwind courtship, they were married July 18, 1942 in Hazelton, Idaho. Carla was born in May, 1943. John was drafted in December 1943 and went to Texas for training in January. As inexperienced as Grace was, she took Carla and traveled by train to Tyler, Texas so they could see John on weekends. Three months later, they returned to Idaho to wait while John served with the Army in Italy.

After John returned from the war in 1945, Glenna was born in July, 1946. In May, 1950 Jonna joined the family. A fourth daughter, Cindy Gail, was born in April, 1957. Sadly we only had her for three weeks.

Grace was born to nurture. Not only was she the best Mama in the world to her own children, she was an Aunt, Mother or Grandmother to anyone who needed one.

Grace was the most fun-loving person you could imagine. She loved to laugh and sing and tease and her sense of humor never left her. She was always up for a good joke. She was an exceptionally good cook and anyone who happened by, whether friend or stranger, was well fed.

Her greatest joy was her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She always played with them and read to them. In any crowd, you would find her checking on the kids. She taught us nursery rhymes and gave us a love for music and a joy for life. She also was a great whistler. She always put everyone else before herself. She was truly wonderful!

Grace was preceded in death by her husband, John, who died in 2008, her infant daughter Cindy Gail in 1957 and both her parents. A son-in-law, Jerry Praegitzer, also preceded her in death in addition to siblings Richard Strain, Henry Strain, Katie Strain, LeRoy Strain, Ava Shoup and Otis Strain.

Grace is survived by three daughters and their families: Carla and Jerry Linder of Twin Falls, Glenna and Mike Stephens of Hazelton, and Jonna Praegitzer of Boise. Carla’s children are Carrie and Kevin Cooper and Chris and Lori Linder. Glenna’s children are Shelley and Keith Booker, Trent and DeAun Stephens and Wade and Tara Stephens. Jonna’s children are Cindy and Clint Williams and Jana and Eric Danielson. Great-grandchildren are Josh Coronado, Kasey Cooper, Abby Bittick, Ty Linder, Jaret Perkins, Jentry Perkins, Jacob Booker, Austin Stephens, BreAnn Stephens, Kagen Stephens, Brock Stephens, Bailey Stephens, Cody Williams, Kenzie Williams and Tyler Danielson. Also surviving Grace are two sisters, Hilda Lewis and Florence Simpson.

Special thanks to Dr. Brian Fortuin and Dr. Tim Enders for their loving care of our Mama.

A celebration of Grace’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 1, 2013 at the First Presbyterian Church, 209 5th Ave. North, in Twin Falls with Pastor Kevin Anderson officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Services are under the direction of Trent Stimpson and staff at White Mortuary, chapel by the Park, Twin Falls.

Memorials may be given in Grace’s name to American Diabetes Association. Contributions can be given to funeral chapel staff or mailed to White Mortuary, P.O. Box 845, Twin Falls, ID 83303.

Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.whitemortuary.com.