Grace M. (Gatchell) Alness was born on August 21, 1929, at home in Stony Run Township, Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota, to parents Ira O. and Clara (Nolton) Gatchell. She was baptized and confirmed at Spring Creek Lutheran Church of Normania Township in 1954. She graduated from Granite Falls High School, Granite Falls, Minnesota, and worked in the office of Baker and Carlson Attorneys-at-Law until marriage. Grace married Ornie R. Alness on November 20, 1954, at the First Congregational Church of Granite Falls. They were the parents of five children: Richard, Coleen, Arlene, Joanne and David. Grace and Ornie farmed together their entire married life. She enjoyed gardening, quilting, crafting, baking and cooking. She was active in her church, the CLCW, and Bible Study. Grace passed away at her home in Tyro Township of Yellow Medicine County, on Sunday, January 4, 2009, at the age of 79 years, 4 months and 14 days. She is survived by her husband Ornie; her children: Richard (Cindy) Alness of Mound, Minnesota, Coleen Alness of Clarkfield, Minnesota, Arlene (Russ) Young of Farmington, Minnesota, Joanne (Larry) Hanson of Olathe, Kansas, David (Carol) Alness of Clarkfield, Minnesota; 14 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; sister Ruby Clendenin of Watertown, South Dakota; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two brothers: Milton and Howard Gatchell; and four sisters: Cora Gatchell, Sylvia Johnston, Luella Kirschbaum and Mildred Randall. Grace was devoted to her family and loved spending time with her grandchildren. Blessed be her memory. Visitation Tuesday, January 6, 2009 * 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service 6:00 p.m. Lynner Funeral Home, Clarkfield, Minnesota Funeral Service Wednesday, January 7, 2009 * 10:30 a.m. Clarkfield Lutheran Church, Clarkfield, Minnesota Clergy Officiating, Pastor Larry Olson Organist, Charlann Anspach Congregational Hymns "Amazing Grace" "Earth and All Stars" "Great is Thy Faithfulness" Special Music, Andrew Alness "I'll Fly Away" Casketbearers (Grandchildren) Eric Alness ~ Andrew Alness Lars Hanson ~ Michael Alness Anders Hanson ~ Samuel Alness Final Resting Place Spring Creek Lutheran Cemetery, Normania Township Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota