Grace Elizabeth Shoning (Richards)

Grace E. Shoning, 89, of San Diego, Calif., former Sioux City resident, died Friday, April 25, 2008, in San Diego.

Services will be 1:30 p.m. Friday at Grace United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Nan Allen officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., with an Order of Eastern Star service at 7 p.m., at Christy-Smith Morningside Chapel.

Grace Elizabeth Richards Shoning, daughter of Dr. Walter Harold and Elizabeth (Virtue) Richards, was born in Danbury, Iowa, on June 8, 1918. She graduated from Danbury Public School in 1935. Following her graduation, she went to work for the telephone company in Danbury. She loved working at the telephone company and continued to work for AT & T for 32 years. She retired from the Sioux City office.

She was united in marriage to Donald W. Shoning in 1942, in Dakota City. They lived in Danbury until after Don returned from the U.S. Army in World War II. In 1946, they moved to Sioux City. They were blessed with two daughters, Janith Sue and Mary Elizabeth. Donald died in 1999. Grace moved to San Diego in 2003 to live with her daughter.

Grace was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Morningside from 1946 until her death. She was a Sunday school teacher, active in UMW, a MYF leader and a Girl Scout leader. She was a member of Rachel Women's Circle. Grace enjoyed camping with her husband and family. She was gifted in music and sang solos for various events throughout her lifetime. She often sang in quartets with her family in Danbury. She played clarinet, piano and organ.

Grace and Don were very happy to have a chance to reaffirm their wedding vows at Grace United Methodist Church in 1994, after more than 50 years of marriage. The event was attended by family and all took part in the celebration. Grace's record of "O Promise Me" that she recorded when she was a young woman was played at the event. Don was involved in local politics as well as serving as a state legislator for eight years.

Grace's life was involved with music, and she came from a musical family. She joined Treble Clef Chorus in Sioux City and sang with them for many years. She occasionally acted as director of the Daughters of the Nile choral group. She was a 50-year plus member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Past Matron and 50-year member of the White Shrine of Jerusalem. She was a member of the Daughters of the Nile and Kanduettes, a group for the Shrine's widows. She was a member and past president of the Elco Gorhum Women's Study Club.

She leaves a wonderful life and family and friends. Survivors include two daughters, Janith Griffith of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Mary Beth Klauer of San Diego; a sister-in-law, Laverne Shoning Stein and her husband, Wallace of Havana, N.D.; two grandchildren, Kirsten Griffith of Cedar Rapids and Scott Griffith and his wife, Tammie and their children, Heath Van Roekel, Lacy Jo Griffith and Jake Griffith, all of Sioux City; a great-great-granddaughter, MacKenzie Van Roekel; and many nieces and nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and a sister, Reba Virtue Lindsey.

Memorials may be sent to Grace United Methodist Church, 1735 Morningside Ave., Sioux City, IA 51106.