BRACE, Janet Faye Kahlenberg "Punch"

1934 - 2021

of Tucson, Arizona and

Grand Haven, Michigan

Brace, Janet Faye Kahlenberg "Punch" was born in Two Rivers, Wisconsin on September 10, 1934 and passed away peacefully in Tucson, Arizona on Friday, March 5, 2021. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frederic F. Brace, Jr. "Fritz" and her parents, Mareta Manola Furtney Kahlenberg Dinsmoor and George Ernest Kahlenberg. Punch is survived by two sisters, Judith Hestoft and Leone Butler. She was the beloved mother of Frederic F. Brace III "Jake" (Judy), George K. Brace (Terry), Anthony R. Brace, Mary B. Scharff (Eric) and the loving grandmother of Frederic F. Brace, IV "Beau" (Stephanie), Charlotte Brace, Marshall Brace, Sara Scharff and George Scharff.

Punch attended Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and earned her bachelor's degree in music from the University of Michigan. She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity.

Punch taught music in Birmingham, Michigan until moving to Evanston, Illinois in 1959 where she raised her family. She was a talented opera singer who often sang at weddings and with church choirs in the Chicago and Tucson areas. Punch was an active volunteer in the music programs in the Evanston schools, with The Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary Board and at Booth Hospital in Chicago. She was a volunteer at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and at The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.Punch and Fritz retired to Tucson, Arizona in 1993 where she volunteered at the St. Luke's home and was active in The Desert Garden Club, The Skyline Woman's Club, and book club. She spent summers in Grand Haven, Michigan where she was active with book club, spent time with family, and her countless friends.No public memorial service will be held at Punch's request. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Avalon Chapel.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Arizona Daily Star on Mar. 12, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Janet Brace

7 Entries

Laila Brophy

April 10, 2021

To Mary, George, Tones and Jake and families. I am so saddened to hear about Gram. My sincere sympathy. She was like my second mother while I lived in America and always. I loved her so much. While I emailed her recently, I always thought will that be the last email! She will always be my Gram from America and I will never forget her. Love to everyone.
Laila from Ireland x

Greg Wuliger

April 7, 2021

Just learned about Punch. Very sorry to hear about it. We last spoke on February 2, as we had from time to time and continued to do after she got sick. She was always hopeful that the doctors could beat the disease and always upbeat when I spoke to her. I remember fondly how she was a second mother to me when I was at Northwestern in 1976-77, and she was kind enough that she always welcomed me if I stopped by the house on Maple. She was always a pleasure to talk to on the phone, and was proud of all her children, giving me a rundown of their activities whenever I called. I don´t think there was anyone she knew who wouldn´t have said the same thing. There is an old saying, "She touched nothing that she did not adorn," that I think describes her well. My condolences to you all.

The Prout Family

Planted Trees

Gordon&Jane Quist

March 14, 2021

Our condolences to your families. Punch was always a very kind and generous friend. We always enjoyed our get togethers . We will miss her.

Deborah Gentile

March 13, 2021

Sympathy to your entire family for the loss of Punch! She was quite the Lady. I was her Dental Hygienist in Tucson . We shared the same Birthday , so we exchanged cards every year!
I would look forward to her coming into the office. She would catch me up on what everyone in her family was up to. She was so proud of each and every one of you.
May her Memory always be fir a Blessing .

Judy and Harvey Van Dam

March 13, 2021

We treasure her friendship and all the wonderful memories of the times we spent together She welcomed us to her cottage in Grand Haven and we looked forward to welcoming her to our home in Chicago Before she moved to Tucson we were neighbors in Grand Haven and shared many days and evenings together
Our sadness is shared with her family and friends There will be a void in our life

ELIZABETH S CADY

March 12, 2021

I am so sorry to hear about your Mom. I've known her since our days at the Theta house and then of course in Evanston. Many fun times the Braces, Tuckers and Cadys had! Your Mom was a wonderful friend to me and we continued letters at Xmas. I know she will be missed by you all and so many. My sympathies and thoughts to you. Betty Cady

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