Grace Eleanor Hart

Grace was born May 14, 1917, in Wray, Colorado, to Peter Edward Zepp and Nancy Louise (Bunn) Zepp. Grace was the youngest of four children, and the only daughter. Her father, a cattle rancher and farmer, died when she was about five years old, and the family moved to Oregon in the early 1920’s. Grace and her mother moved to the Yakima Valley in the mid 1920’s, where Grace finished high school in Cowiche, and met her husband-to-be, Jack Hart. They were married in 1940.

Grace worked outside the home much of her life, for Del Monte Cannery, Gray Cross Drugs, and for the Yakima Herald-Republic. She later worked for Montgomery Ward, managing the Catalog Department until her retirement in 1980.

Grace was a talented gardener, and was able to make anything grow. She loved to read, and to sew and crochet. Grace loved animals, and she valued the many special cats and dogs in her life. They always brought her joy. Jack and Grace together enjoyed the outdoors, camping and fishing. Every fall, they spent time at Cow Camp near Rimrock Lake. Grace enjoyed the beach as her special place, and Jack and Grace made trips to the Washington and Oregon coasts. They were able to take many trips together, especially after they both retired; highlights included a trip to Alaska and two trips to Hawaii.

Family was always at the core of Grace’s life. She and Jack raised their children with the absolute certainty that they were loved, and that their parents’ commitment to each other was forever. Her family always knew where “home” was. In Grace’s own words:

“I know as surely as I have ever known anything, that there is no defense as strong, no comfort as sure, no strength as enduring, as the strength and comfort of family.”

Grace was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Edward, Frank, and Harold Zepp; a grandson, Ladd Wickstrom, and a granddaughter, Kim Hart Skaggs.

She is survived by her loving husband, Jack, at home in Cowiche; four children: Nancy Gardner of Cowiche, Renee Wetch of Yakima, Jerry (Wende) Hart of Princeton, Oregon, and Jackie (Ted) Parr of Olympia; five grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

Grace’s family wishes to especially thank the caregivers and staff at Cedar Hills Adult Residential Care for their compassion and loving care for Grace in the last four years. Her life there was filled with joy. Thanks also to Lower Valley Hospice staff for their support and guidance.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, February 4, 2011, at Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home. Interment will follow at West Hills Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, or Lower Valley Hospice, in care of Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home, 1010 West Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA 98902.