Grace Eleanor Johnson Whalen

Grace Eleanor Johnson Whalen
Date Of Birth: 07/13/1929
Date of Death: 09/16/2024
Grace, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away September 16, 2024, at the age of 95, with her family by her side.
Her life's journey began July 13, 1929 with her birth to Harry and Ethel Johnson in the small town of Russell, Minnesota. It was there that she grew up enjoying an idyllic childhood with her sister, Frances, and brother, Rich. Those good times included playing trumpet in the high school band with her best friend, Phyllis, shoveling snow during snow days, and in later years working at the local creamery and the phone company as an operator.
Then one day Jack Whalen entered her life and what an entrance it was. Jack was driving down the street and wanted to stop to say hi to Grace. His car, having bad brakes, didn't stop where he intended and instead jumped the curb, stopping short of Grace. After a few laughs about his car and his driving, they went to a movie and would be married eleven months later on April 3, 1948.
Soon a family began. Seven children were born to Grace and Jack: Cathy, Rich, Steve, Barb, Ginger, John, and Jim. They raised their family in Lynd, MN, Struble, IA, Yankton, SD, Sioux City, IA, and then the big move to Portland, OR. As the children grew older, she began her career in the railroad accounting office.. When retirement called, she and Jack bought a house in Arizona and split their time between Portland and Mesa and then finally lived full time in Portland.
Grace enjoyed many things in life. She loved the beach, going to church, beautiful flowers, people, the sound of children playing, and the view from her condo patio, but first and foremost, she loved her family. Mixing her love for her family and the beach, she started an annual family get together on Labor day weekend at Manzanita, Oregon back in the 1980's, which is still going on today.
With a kind and gentle wisdom, Grace was a calming and loving presence in all of those who were in her life. She never said an unkind word about anyone, never took the spotlight, and never complained. She was modest and selfless, always serving others before herself. She was a gentle soul, who quietly guided her family in a positive way. She was a beautiful person inside and out. Grace loved her family with all of her heart, soul, and being.
She is now in Heaven, reunited with her husband, Jack, and her son, Rich, and her brother, Rich, and many other members of her family. She is survived by her other six children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and by her sister, Frances.
Memorial service 11:00 AM, Saturday October 26, 2024
Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Beaverton, Oregon
Donations may be made in Grace's memory and in honor of her son, Rich, to ALS.org.