Grace Eileen Flett-Gray

Grace Eileen Flett-Gray, 87, of Elgin, died June 13 at her home.

Grace was born April 20, to William Dewey and Harriet Innes Foust in East Brady, Pa. They later moved to Oakmont, Pa.

After graduating from high school, Grace enlisted in the Women's Army Corps and served in the Philippines and New Guinea from 1942 to 1945. She received a WAC service medal, a Good Conduct medal, a Philippine Liberation Ribbon and an Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon.

While in the Philippines, Grace met and married Lowell Guy Flett. After their discharge in 1945, they lived in Salem, Mo., where they raised their children Mary Margaret, Lola Jean and Harold Edward.

She worked on the Flett farm in Salem and later as the post office. In 1965 the family moved to Tulsa, Okla., where she was the manager of housekeeping for the Westin Corp. until her retirement and the death of her husband.

After Grace moved to Okmulgee, Okla., to be closer to her oldest daughter and granddaughters, she met and married John Gray.

In 1996, Grace moved to La Grande to be closer to her youngest daughter and grandchildren.

Grace enjoyed dancing and sports - especially football and baseball. Grace told great stories about her childhood and her WAC years and liked to listen to her grandchildren's stories too. She was a member of the VFW, the Ruptured Ducks and the American Legion. Grace had a keen sense of humor, which she believed helped her through difficult times in her life.

Grace is survived by her daughter, Lola Dutton of La Grande; four grandchildren; sisters, Margaret Ann Gatty and Harriet Kessler of Pennsylvania; many nieces; nephews and their children; and two great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank Grace's caregiver, Kay, who became a part of Grace's family.

Grace was preceded in death by husbands, Lowell Guy Flett and John Gray; children, Lowell Guy Flett, Jr., Harold Edward Flett and Mary Margaret Dutton and a brother William Dewey Foust, Jr.