GRACE S. WEISEL

Grace Sanderson Weisel, 82, Corvallis, Ore., died Jan. 7, 2012, at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis.

She was born in Milwaukee, Aug. 17, 1929, to parents of Norwegian and German descent, the late Howard and Norma Sanderson, and was the fourth of five children.

She lived her first 74 years in southern Wisconsin. As a child of the Depression Era, she was thrifty, hardworking and generous to friends and strangers alike. It was here that she began her lifelong commitment to volunteerism.

Her early married life was dedicated to raising five children, but also included belonging to a bridge club and planting vegetable and flower gardens at the family’s lake home. She had an eye for beauty in all that she did.

Moving to Corvallis in 2003 was the start of a grand adventure for Grace. She absolutely loved road trips to the coast and Cascade Range. She discovered mochas, salt spray and rock collecting.

She lived at Samaritan Village, serving on various committees and helping to maintain the Village’s extensive flower gardens. She also volunteered at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. In her limited spare time, she was an avid reader.

Although she had had a series of health problems over the last couple years, the stroke that ended her life came without much warning. At 82, her spirit for life was much greater than her tiny and frail body would suggest. She will be greatly missed.

Grace and her family embraced the motto “Life Is Good,” which became their toast at each family function.  That memory and her legacy of love will live on with her family and others who were fortunate enough to have known her.

Survivors include her children, Nancy Weisel, Eugene, Ore., Judith (Larry) Loizzo, Janesville, Amy (Mark) Danielson, Duluth, Minn., Sanderson of Portland, Mark (Heidi) Weisel, Corvallis; grandchildren, Ani, Ryan, Dana, Kathryn, Elizabeth, Greta, Luke, Jack; brother, Howard (Barbara), Dover, Mass.;  and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of her life was held Jan. 15, at DeMoss-Durdan Funeral Home in Corvallis. Attendees were encouraged to wear “Life Is Good” shirts in honor of Grace.