Grace Green, age 96, of Sac City, IA, passed away on Friday, April 21, 2017, at Park View Rehabilitation Center in Sac City. Grace Marcella Duffy was born November 26, 1920, in Williams Township, Calhoun County, IA, to parents Frank and Mayme (Walsh) Duffy.
Grace attended high school in Sac City graduating with the class of 1938. After graduation, she worked for Attorney Malcolm Currie and then began her career with Sac County Abstract Company in 1940. Grace began as the Manager at the age of 20 and bought the company a few years later. She retired in 2013, after 73 years with the Company. She and her late husband, David L. Green also owned and operated Green Real Estate for many years. She loved the real estate business and enjoyed helping families find their new home.
She married David Green on June 5, 1950, in Sac City. They were blessed with three children Robert “Bob”, Michael “Mike”, and Barbara.
Grace was a longstanding member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sac City, and a past President as well as a member of the St. Mary’s Ladies Guild, and a past member of Catholic Daughters of America.
She loved baking, cooking and entertaining. Her family enjoyed many years of wonderful holiday dinners with Grace always going way out with her finest china and silver. She would always say it was good therapy for her. She will be remembered as an immaculate dresser. She wore high spike heels every day for many years. She was generous to a fault.
Upon the sudden death of her husband, Dave, on August 8, 1958, Grace found herself widowed with three small children 7, 3 and 3 months. She threw herself into her work to support and take care of her children. She didn’t want any handouts and would take care of things herself. Besides caring for them, her work was her second love. Many a day, night and weekend, Grace’s car could be seen at her office. She was a Woman Pioneer in a Man’s World in the 1950’s and 1960’s and many admired her for her courage and tenacity. The large Crucifix located above the Altar in the front of St. Mary’s Parish was donated by Grace to the parish during its construction, in memory of her husband, David.
Her grandchildren gave her such joy and she loved watching over them and letting them stay overnight with her. As they grew older and into sports, many a night she would be on the bleachers cheering with the rest of the fans, sometimes a little overenthusiastically.
Survivors include her children: son Mike (Jeani) Green and daughter Barbara (Randy) Steinkamp and daughter-in-law Linda Green all of Sac City; grandsons: David Green (Katie) of Kansas City, MO, Patrick Green (Mary) of Bowling Green, OH, Jim Green (Cassie), Ian Green, and Alex Green all of Sac City. Her great-grandchildren include: Lucy, Hank, Ava, Violet, Emery and Max Green. She is also survived by sisters-in-law: Donita (Kruskop) Duffy and Janet (Green) Saggau as well as many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband David L. Green; parents Frank and Mayme Duffy; son Robert Green; sisters Angela O’Connor and Marie Hamm; brothers Francis Duffy and Raymond Duffy; sisters-in-law Collette (Green) Wiseman and Miriam (Green) Von Ahn.