Grace A. Smestad

grace a. smestad
Grace Ann (Swanson) Smestad was born to Harry R. Swanson & (Mary) Jane Fletcher August 6, 1913 at St Paul, MN. After a few years Grace, brother John (Jack Sr) and her mother, Jane, moved to Minot, ND to live with her grandparents, William and Annie (McEntee) Fletcher. Grace was confirmed and a member of St Leo's Church and graduated from Minot High School in 1931. Shortly after that time she and her brother moved to a farm near Velva, ND, with her mother and step-father. It was from there that she met & married Chester Smestad in 1939. Grace and Chet moved near and far from ND, as he was a partner of a construction company. During WWII Grace worked for the military, as many women did, working at electrical wiring. Chet was in Panama working on the canal. Some years later they returned to Moorhead, MN and Fargo, ND. On December 1, 1946 Grace gave birth to Denise Jane Smestad. Grace worked outside the home for ND Blue Cross/Blue Shield from 1958 to 1967. She retired to care for Chet who had cancer. While at BC/BS Grace was proud to be a member of the all women's Blue X Pool Team. She was the last living member of her team and proudly had the team's picture of the group in front of a pool table, displayed wherever her home was. Grace belonged and supported her church, several worthy charities, read several books a month, did large print crossword puzzles and word finding puzzle books and never missed an activity at Bethany Retirement Home. She drove her car until her eyesight required her to stop, well into her 90's. She traveled often to Los Angeles, CA to be with her brother and his wife, Effie, and later to Northern CA, to visit Jack, and to Nevada to visit her only blood nephew, Jack Jr. She joined many loved ones who proceeded her: Her beloved grandparents, William and Annie Fletcher; Mother, Jane Swanson Moore; Father, Harry Swanson, Step-father, Dennis Moore; Husband, Chester Smestad; six year old daughter, Denise, brother, John (Jack) Swanson; Sister-in-law Effie Swanson, Nephew Jackie Swanson; recently grand-niece, Lori A (Swanson) Goldman and Dale L Chilson and all Chet's family born before 1945 except one niece, Donna Rae Lousch, Minot, ND. Grace is survived by numerous third and fourth generation nieces, Lori A (Swanson), Goldman's four children and their father, Mark Goldman, CA. and two amongst others, who will always hold so many memories dear of Grace: Lori Goldman's mother, Pat Pitcairn, AZ & Karen Pullen, Minot, ND.

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