GRACE ARENDS, age 97, of Ellsworth, died Sunday, April 13, 2014, at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne. She was born November 28, 1916, in Lyon County, IA, to Jasper and Nellie (Duin) DeVries. She graduated from Central Lyon High School in 1934. Grace then attended Mt. Pleasant, in Iowa, before attending Nettleton College in Sioux Falls, SD. She received her Teaching Degree and taught country school in Iowa.
Grace married Wallace Arends on December 27, 1944. After their marriage, the couple lived in Ellsworth. Grace worked as a day care provider and a housekeeper.
She was a member of Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, word search, polka music, bird watching, the Minnesota Twins and her grand dogs, Cece, Racer, Taffy & Lou.
Grace is survived by her husband of sixty nine years, Wallace Arends, Luverne; two children, Bonnie DeGroot, Ellsworth; and Ronald (Claude) Arends, Magnolia; nine grandchildren, Leon (Khaikham) DeGroot, Troy (Catherin) DeGroot, Amy Benning, Lyla Christenson, Ryan Hofekamp, Toni (Michael) Schettler, Rhonda Arends, Jackalyne (Tim) Hieronimus & Jeralyne Boelman; great grandchildren, Kimberly, Khendra, Samantha, Corey, Danielle, Ashley, Austin, Amber, Evan, Lexie, Ava, Leah, Hunter, Skylar & Breyer; five great great grandchildren, Kaedyn, Braydon, Emerson, Masyn, Austin; and one more expecting; and a sister, Margaret "Skipper" Dickman, Boyden, IA.
She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Linda Lea Boelman, in 1983; brother, Jacob DeVries; and a sister, Florence Boumann.
Visitation will be from 4-8pm Wednesday at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Adrian; and also one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Thursday. Funeral will be 10:30 am Thursday at the Dingmann Funeral Home, in Adrian, officiated by Fr. James Seitz. Burial will be in the Grand Prairie Cemetery in Ellsworth.
To view an online obituary, sign a virtual register book, or order flowers, please visit www.dingmannandsons.com

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