Obituary of Grace R. Olmsted

Mrs. Grace Rosalie Olmsted, age 89, passed away on November 1, 2014, after several months of declining cardiopulmonary health. Mrs. Olmsted was born on May 9, 1925 on a farm near West Chester, Iowa. Her farming family of Scottish ancestry helped form her personal principles of; "live your faith, education being the best investment, hard work to produce good health, and love of family." Following graduation from Washington High School, Grace enrolled at the University of Iowa, to earn her BS degree in home economics in 1947. "Education being the best investment" permeated throughout her collegiate career at the University of Iowa, where Grace played clarinet in the UI marching band. Grace's principles influenced all of her children to seek higher education and four of her grandchildren to become doctors. Grace continually supported the University of Iowa as a life member of the UI Alumni Association, UI Foundation President's Club, and as an avid Hawkeye football fan. With her guiding principle of "live your faith," Grace joined First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City when she first enrolled at UI in 1943. Being an active member for 71 years, Grace provided care and compassion through her leadership with the Board of Deacons, the Session, Pastor Search Committee, Stewardship Committee, Pollock Circle, Martha's Circle, President of Women's Council, 24 years as coordinator of wedding and funeral receptions, planner of several Presbytery and Synod meetings, and received the honorary Presbyterian Women life membership in 1983. Her principle of "hard work produces good health" guided Grace to work as manager at the Quadrangle Coffee Shop on weekday evenings; food supervisor at Lantern Park nursing home; deli supervisor at Hy-Vee First Avenue; and manager of children's clothing at Von Maur. Her "love of family, neighborhood family, and church family" provided a fruitful principle to her life. On June 14, 1947, she married Henry Elmer Olmsted, Jr. During their 37 years of marriage, they were blessed with five children: Catherine (Katie) Jean, (spouse, Bill Douglas, Greeley, CO); John Stephen (spouse, Frankie Dermody, Summerfield, NC); James Allen (deceased January 6, 1974); Paul Eugene (spouse, Pam Marin-Kingsley, Bradford, MA); Richard Lee (spouse, Lorraine Martin, Lowell, MA). Grace was also blessed with six grandchildren: Dr. Shawn Douglas (spouse, Jamie Douglas, Lutz, FL), Dr. Matthew Olmsted (spouse, Câline McHenry Olmsted, Oak Ridge, NC), Dr. Courtney Olmsted (spouse, Dr. Nancy Johnson, Iowa City, IA), Dr. Bennett Olmsted (Boston, MA), Mr. Robert Douglas (spouse, Deborah and son Aiden, Greeley, CO); and great-grandchildren, Fisher James Douglas (Lutz, FL), Nicholas, Jonathan, and Kristina Karlowa (Winter Haven, FL), and "nugget Olmsted" with expected delivery January 2015. Sally and Dave Yetter from Ames were her remaining relatives in Iowa, and very special caregivers. Grace had her Oakland Avenue Family, where she became the "neighborhood mom" with living in the same two-bedroom home for 67 years. She was known as "Amazing Grace" with her church family. Grace always remembered birthdays, anniversaries, and special holidays with her greeting cards and gifts, and her home-baked German sweet chocolate cake or cherry pie from her "secret recipes". Grace was preceded in death by her parents: Nellie Woodard Munro and William Stephen Munro; her son, James Allen Olmsted; her husband, Henry E. Olmsted Jr.; her brother, Captain David C. Munro; and granddaughter Sandra Douglas Karlowa. The family is grateful for the excellent and compassionate care given to Grace by Dr. Gregory T. Bozek and his staff of Kelly and Tonya, and to Mrs. Cheryl Mercer and her staff at Crestview. She was also most fortunate to have a roommate, "sister", and confidant with Janice Lee during their last chapter of life. Mrs. Jan Wicks, a close family friend from church, was with Grace on the beautiful evening that she left this life for eternal life. On Thursday, November 6, 2014, following the 10:00am visitation, and the 11:00am service, the family will greet friends for lunch at 12 Noon at First Presbyterian Church with burial service at Memory Gardens about 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to First Presbyterian Church, 2701 Rochester Avenue, Iowa City, 52245, telephone (319)-351-2660. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Grace's family and her services.