Grace Seipold

Grace E. Seipold, one of six children of Stella Mary (McClure) and John Merrill Johnson, was born at her parent's farm in Mills County, Iowa on September 9, 1906. Grace, along with her family was a member of the Malvern Baptist Church and attended the Centerline School, and Malvern High School graduating in 1923. Grace then went on to complete her Normal Teacher's Training and taught in area rural schools for several years.
Grace and Martin August Ernst Seipold of rural Hastings, Iowa were married on February 22, 1929 at St. John's Lutheran Church Parsonage. In 1929, Grace also became a confirmed member of St. John's Lutheran Church of rural Hastings. Grace and Martin made their first home on a farm in Anderson Township and were blessed with three children; Harold Martin, Marlis Ann, and Kenneth Albert. In 1943, the family moved to the Seipold family farm located in Indian Creek Township.
Grace was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Ladies Aid, was a Sunday School Teacher, and sang in the Church Choir. She took an active role on the farm and in her children's lives as well, serving as 4-H leader for nine years and receiving the D.M. Kline Meritorious Achievement Award as an outstanding 4-H Leader. Grace was active in the Mills County Fair, Extension Council, and played the saxophone in the neighborhood band. Grace and Martin had been married nearly 34 years when Martin died on April 26, 1963. Grace continued to live at her home and remained active in her church, family, and community. Grace's health forced her to move to the Tabor Manor Care Center of Tabor, IA in May of 2001. Grace died at Tabor Manor on June 11, 2004 having attained the age of 97 years, 7 months, and 2 days. She was the last surviving member of the Malvern Community High School Class of 1923.
Grace was preceded in death by her parents; infant daughter; husband Martin Seipold; sisters Edna Martin and Mary Jensen; brothers Merrill Johnson, Jr., Lawrence Johnson, and Mark Johnson. She is survived by her daughter Marlis Wilson and her husband Bob of Longmont, CO; sons Harold Seipold and his wife Virginia of rural Henderson, IA, and Kenneth Seipold and his wife Linda of rural Hastings, IA; 7 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.