Mrs. Grace Mildred Caskey

1915 - 2009

Funeral services for Grace Caskey, age 93 of Clarinda, Iowa, formerly of College Springs, Iowa who died Saturday, February 28, 2009 at Goldenrod Manor, Clarinda, Iowa will be held Friday, March 6, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home, Clarinda, Iowa with Reverend James Crapson officiating.

Visitation with the family will be held Thursday, March 5, 2009 from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Covenanter Cemetery, rural Clarinda, Iowa. Memorials can be directed to the College Springs Presbyterian Church. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on our website at, www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Clarinda, Iowa.

Grace Mildred Caskey was born December 4, 1915 near Clarinda, Iowa. She was the daughter of Charles Downing and Sarah (Crawford) Downing. Grace and her nine brothers and sisters grew up in the rural Clarinda area.

She graduated from Clarinda High School in 1934. Following her graduation she taught rural school for one year. On February 14, 1936, she was united in marriage to Lisle Stewart Caskey at the Methodist parsonage in Clarinda. They were blessed with three children, Carolyn, Bill and Joyce.

Grace and Stewart farmed west of Shambaugh and Grace lived in the farm home until her move to Clarinda in 1991. She enjoyed being a farm wife and loved flowers and gardening. Grace also enjoyed reading and doing embroidery work. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church of College Springs. Grace also belonged to a community club of farm wives.

Grace is survived by her children, Carolyn Wichman and husband Glen of Clarinda, Iowa; Bill Caskey and wife Judy of Clarinda, Iowa, and Joyce Montgomery of Ocala, Florida; six grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Doris Griffith of Tabor, Iowa and June Faulkenburg of Fayetteville, Georgia.

Preceding Grace in death were her parents; husband, Lisle Stewart Caskey; brothers, Walter, infant Phillip, Clifford, Robert, Albert and John Downing; sisters, Mary Humphrey and Ruth Richardson.

Although Grace will be greatly missed, Her love and inspiration will live on through her family. May God grant comfort and strength to those who mourn her passing.