MALTA-Grace A.
Lucas, a retired teacher, died April 6, 2018 at Great Falls
following a lengthy illness.
She was born March 10, 1934, at
Fairfield, Montana to Harold and Elizabeth (Cook) Norris. Grace
and her seven siblings were raised at the Norris family
homestead, on the Asheulot Bench. After high school, she went to
Northern Montana College and first earned an Associate Degree in
teaching before receiving her Bachelor’s of Education and a
Master’s Degree in Education. Grace married LeRoy Lucas June 19,
1954, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Fort Shaw. They raised a
family of four children together. In addition to raising her
children, Grace taught grade school for over 30 years in Havre
and Malta, before retiring from Malta Schools in 1995. She
enjoyed gardening, reading, and jigsaw puzzles. Often Grace
could be seen walking along the streets of Malta to get her
exercise, going at least one mile a day. She worked at the
Phillips County Fair for over 20 years and took or sold tickets
for Malta High School sporting events until recently. She was a
member of, and an officer for Malta Dirt Daubers Garden Club,
Montana State Garden Club, Alpha Zeta, Delta Kappa Gamma, Malta
Book Club, and the Phillips County Council on Aging. She was a
member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Malta.
Grace is survived by her children,
Chuck of Whitehall, Jack (Elaine) of Alexandria, Virginia, Susan
Wiltse of Malta, and Cheryl of Great Falls; grandchildren Jason
Lucas of Mooresville, Indiana, Justin (Mindy) Lucas of
Whitewater, James Lucas of Billings, Kaylyn Lucas of Whitehall,
Anthony Wiltse of Denver, Michael Wiltse of Billings, Jennifer
(Phil) Nelson of Broadus, Timothy (Patience) Wiltse of Malta,
and Patrick Lucas of Arlington, Virginia. She is also survived
by six great-grandchildren; sisters Fern (Dick) Tronstad of
Great Falls, Alice Nickoloff of Billings, Mary (Jack) McLeslie
of Spokane, Gladys (Dennis) Bymaster of Havre; brother Bill
Norris of Fort Shaw; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was
preceded in death by her husband LeRoy, her parents, sisters
Wilma (Norman) Alfson and Dorothy Norris, daughter-in-law Ann (Johannesen)
Lucas, several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at 7:00 P.M. Sunday, April 15, at the Kirkwood Memorial Chapel. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 A.M., Monday, April 16, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Interment will be in the Malta Cemetery. Condolences for the family may be left at www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com.
From: Rosemary S Veseth
We are so sorry for the loss of Grace. When I moved to Malta in
Dec. 1990, to take a 4th grade job, Grace was the second person
from Malta I met. She continued to be a good teacher, friend,
and Dirt Dauber and will be greatly missed. May you rest in
peace, dear Grace.
From: Anne Boothe
I'm thinking of you all and remembering Grace (or "Lucas" as
Kris would say..) I truly enjoyed Grace and her witty smile. May
God bless you all.
From: Gary & Chloryce Wiltse
Thinking of you with sympathy on your loss.
From: Jack and Mary McLeslie
To the members of my sister Grace's family, we are truly sorry
for the loss of such a vital member of your family. I know Grace
was very proud of all of you. When I was going to Northern
Montana College in Havre, Grace was so good to watch over me, It
was like a little bit of home. I am forever grateful for her,
Please know that we all loved her too. Jack and Mary McLeslie
and family
From: Kitty Lou Rusher
My sympathy.
Grace Lucas, Dorothy Conlon from Saco, and I were initiated at
the same time into Kappa chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma in
Glasgow. When our chapter split into three, she and Dorothy
became a part of Alpha Zeta. I always enjoyed our later joint
meetings.
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