Ina Grace (South) Harwick, passed away on May 19, 2013, at the North Platte Care Center in North Platte.
Ina Grace South was born in Sarles, N.D., on June 29, 1918, to Jay and Hannah South. Her family moved to Bemidji, Minn., where she graduated from high school in 1936.
She moved to California to live with her sister and look for work. She met Paul Smith there and they were married in Las Vegas in 1941. Their daughter, Billie was born in California. Grace and Paul moved to Nebraska in 1945 and settled in Maywood in 1946, where son Dan was born. Paul passed away in 1958. Grace married V. J. (Fritz) Harder in 1966 and they lived in rural Stockville and Curtis. Fritz passed away in 1975. Grace married Kenny Harwick in 1988. Kenny passed away in 2002.
Grace worked out of her home doing laundry and ironing. She also cleaned houses and worked several years as a custodian at Sunset Haven in Curtis. She also cleaned several businesses and private homes in Curtis. She enjoyed reading and had a book by her side at the very end. She enjoyed sewing and quilting and made blankets, pillows, bean bag chairs and other items for her family and friends. She also enjoyed collecting turtles and her collection numbered more than 400 in a variety of sizes. She also liked to fish and spent many hours at lakes in the area. Her greatest joy was her families.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and 11 brothers and sisters.
Grace is survived by her sister, Laverne Whelan, of Bemidji, Minn.; her daughter, Billie Christensen, of Littleton, Colo.; son, Dan (Karen) Smith, of Maywood; her step-daughters, Darlene (Tedd) Hinton, of Colorado Springs, Colo., Lynda (Denny) Drayton, of Lemon, S.D.; her step-son, Fayette (Ronnie) Harwick, of Alliance; grandchildren, Dan Christensen, of Littleton, Colo., Paul (Dawn) Smith, of Kansas City, Mo., and Chad (Jean) Smith, of Overland Park, Kan.; her great-grandchildren, Jessica (Ben) Vinci, Troi Christensen, Trysten Brown Christensen, Josie Smith and Gavin Smith; her great-great-grandchildren, Cadence, Michael and Avery Vinci, of Littleton, Colo.; numerous nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
Memorials are suggested to the Curtis Public Library, 316 Center Ave, Curtis, NE 69025. To sign the online guest book, go to blasestrauser.com.
Private services and burial at the Riverton Cemetery will be on Wednesday, May 22.Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m., today, with the family present from 5-7 p.m., at Blase-Wetzel-Strauser Funeral Home in Curtis, which is in charge of arrangements.