Grace Gehle was born in Bakersfield on August 5, 1946, the third child of Albert and Helen (Nickel) Froese. Two more girls, Nancy and Donna, were born to join Grace, her brother Art and big sister, Carol. The 5 children were born in seven years, and their young mother and handsome father raised these children on a farm located on Fresno Avenue in Shafter. Grace and her siblings attended local schools, worked summers in the cotton fields, and the girls did some babysitting. Because the Froese family lived in the "country," the siblings had a great time playing together. Kick the can, board games, swimming at the neighbors with the Gaede kids, and playing in the laundry chute. She attended the First Mennonite Church until it disbanded, then became a member of the Mennonite Brethren Church. She accepted the Lord as her Savior at a young age and was baptized in Jr. High. Grace graduated from Shafter High School with the class of 1964. She attended Bakersfield and Riverside College and then worked as a secretary in the Physics Departments of University of Riverside and University of Irvine. She met Bill Gehle and they were married on Dec. 12, 1969, in Villa Park. Grace has lived in Shafter most of her life, creating happy memories and establishing a home where her husband, children and grandchildren thrived. Grace and Bill established a vacation home in Cambria and spent many days and weekends through the year relaxing and sharing the beautiful surroundings with family and friends. Camp Keola, where Grace's brother worked, was another vacation spot that inspired and entertained the extended Froese family. One of Grace's generous attributes was hospitality. She was a perfect hostess who loved making people feel at home, especially her relatives and grandkids. Grace was also very supportive of everything her children and grandchildren were a part of. Grace's favorite activities with her family included playing cards, hanging out with her grandchildren, and having dinner together. Grace enjoyed working in the yard and was an outstanding pie and jelly maker and filled many jars with canned fruit and delicious pickles. She was an admirable mother and wife. She was a faithful and thoughtful friend. She was a wonderful woman of God with a strong faith who was wise in giving advice and encouragement. She attended Bible studies to learn more about her Lord and Savior and to have fellowship with other women. Grace had a spirit of service. She was active in her church, serving as AWANA secretary, helping with Vacation Bible School, helping prepare and serve funeral dinners, and attending ladies' Bible studies. Another area of service for Grace has been to minister to her mother's needs as Helen became unable to do her housework. When she moved to Carrington, Grace continued to faithfully visit her mother and perform little acts of kindness for her mom. After her first diagnosis of cancer, she attended a cancer support group for 13 years. The diagnosis of lymphoma in December, 2012, led to a year of treatment. The diagnosis of leukemia on Jan. 17, 2013, with the prognosis of 2-3 weeks left to live, was quite a shocker! Grace will be remembered especially for her beautiful smile and contagious laugh. One couldn't help laughing with her. The last 2 weeks with Grace have been very special. She was able to see and visit with many friends as they offered her love and support. She appreciated the concern of everyone. One of her favorite scriptures was Romans 8:28 as she faced her death. Her faith was strong and she knew her future because she believed in John 3:16. Grace believed the promise that "God knew her from the beginning to the end." Grace married Bill Gehle on December 12, 1969 and he survives her. Other survivors include her mother, Helen Froese; son, John Gehle and wife Jessica and their children, Julia and James of Thousand Oaks; daughter, Mary and husband Loreto Lara and their children, Lenea and Vincente of Shafter; sisters, Carol and husband Don Kirchmer of Newton, Kansas, Nancy and husband John Enns of Shafter, Donna Froese of Wichita, Kansas and brother, Art Froese of San Luis Obispo. Grace was a wonderful and loving wife, mother and grandmother who will be missed by all those who knew her. She will always be remembered for her beautiful smile and endless energy. Donations may be made in Grace's name to Mennonite Brethren Church for SOAR Santa Cruz MB Youth Missions, 400 Kern Street, Shafter, CA 93263. A memorial service will be held at Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church, on Friday February 8, 2013 at 11am.