Grace Marie Johnson

Grace Marie Johnson, 79, of Ephrata. passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008 of cancer at her home.

She was born on Nov. 16, 1928, in Seattle, to Jack and Rose Groven.

Grace and her husband, Leslie, were raised in neighboring towns in Skagit County but did not meet until they were both employed at Darigold Farms in Seattle. Grace and Leslie married in 1946 and moved to Ephrata in 1952 with their two daughters.

She was employed by the Grant County Treasurer from 1957 until her retirement in 1987. Grace enjoyed entertaining at her home and looked forward to trips to the Oregon coast with her family. She loved animals and enjoyed her daily shopping excursions and visits to her favorite Ephrata restaurants. She was an accomplished seamstress and liked to crochet.

She is survived by her daughters, Carmen and husband Jay White of Blue Lake, Wash. and Deanna Billingsley of Walla Walla, Wash.; eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, including two sets of twins and a set of triplets.

Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Leslie; her parents, and her son-in-law, Steve Billingsley.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 1, at 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Ephrata with Pastor Tom Inch officiating. Interment will follow at the Ephrata Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Grace requested that memorials be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Viewing will be on Tuesday, Feb. 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, Feb. 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Nicoles Funeral Home. Nicoles Funeral Home of Ephrata is in charge of arrangements.