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Obituary for Grace B. (Babe) Shepard
Grace B.(Babe) Shepard, age 87, formerly of Council Bluffs passed away at Crestview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in West Branch, Iowa, in the presence of her family on April 6, 2011.
Born in Lesterville S. D., Grace joined the Marines at age 18. She later met and married Ralph Shepard in Omaha, Nebraska following World War II. They were married for nearly fifty years and had five children.
Grace attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha on a part time basis. She worked in several branches of the government including the IRS, the 16th Army Corps in Omaha NE and SAC Air Force Base in Bellevue, NE. until her retirement.
Grace belonged to the Iowa City Senior center and was a member of the Voices of Experience.
She did volunteer work for Iowa City Hospice and worked as peer counselor for the elderly. She enjoyed creative writing and was a member of the Red Hat Society.
Grace's greatest skill was enjoying life. She loved dancing, singing, fishing, gambling, bowling, and picnics. She was an avid fan of all her grandchildren and never missed a game. She was feared by the baseball umpires for her criticism of their calls and once offered one the use of her glasses.
Grace was funny and warm, a wonderful daughter, wife, mother, sister and friend. Her philosophy was, "When things get really bad, start laughing!" She taught this essential principle to all her children.
Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph.
Grace is survived by her five children, Sandra Hess, Mark, Kevin, Brian and Kyle Shepard; eleven grandchildren, and twelve great grandchildren, four siblings, John D. Bride, Jackie Fosheim, Steve Bride and Kit Slate.
Memorials: Memorial gifts may be made to Crestview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 451 West Orange Street, West Branch, IA, 52358.
Cemetery: Inurnment at Memorial Park Cemetery in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Visitation: Visitation will be held 9-10am, Saturday at Maher~Livingston Funeral Home.
Service: Memorial service will be held at 10am, Saturday at the funeral home.
