BARENZ, Grace Maxine (Gage) 1933-2011

BARENZ, LAUGHLIN, GAGE, PITZEN

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 10/16/2011 at 21:38:56

Grace Maxine Barenz, 78, of Osage, died Oct. 15, 2011, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage, from complications associated with multiple myeloma.

She was born October 14, 1933, in San Antonio, Texas, the daughter of Ward and Ivle (Laughlin) Gage. In 1936, the family moved to Charles City, Iowa, where Grace attended school and graduated from Charles City High School. Following graduation, she attended the University of Northern Iowa for one year.

On March 8, 1953, Grace was united in marriage to Duane Barenz at the United Methodist Church in Charles City. They farmed and raised six children in the Little Cedar area until 1982, when they moved to an acreage near Osage.

Following the move, Grace was employed as a home health aide at Mitchell County Home Health Care & Public Health for 26 years. Grace enjoyed her job and interacting with her co-workers and clients, many of whom she considered to be her second family.

Grace was a member of the United Methodist Church and was a Mitchell County Master Gardener. She took special joy in gardening, watching birds and wildlife along the Cedar River, many crafts, cooking, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.

According to her wishes, Grace’s remains were cremated immediately after her death.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 22, 2011, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage with Pastor Roy Ott officiating. Inurnment will be at the Liberty Cemetery in Little Cedar, at a later date. A gathering of family and friends will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home.

Grace is survived by five children, Josanne (Doug) Six of Boone, Roxanne (Marlin) Clemens of Ogden, Dianne Menden of Ames, David (Therese) Barenz of Solon, Rita (Kent) Pitzen of Cresco; seven grandchildren, Sara and Christopher Niemand, Terry and Michelle Groesbeck, Andrew Barenz, Casandra (Zach) Emerson and Alexis Pitzen; two great-grandchildren, Shayne and Abby Groesbeck; step-granddaughter, Sarah (Clay) Sprague; step-great-granddaughter, Chloe Sprague; and Grace’s beloved dog, Pete.

Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Duane; a son, Darrell Barenz; her parents; two brothers, Keith and Dean Gage; and foster brother, Max Ferch.

Champion - Bucheit Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements, (641)732-3706.

[ A Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home obituary. ]