Grace Winifred Alexander Fellows Van Valkenburg

Grace passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loved ones, on September 29, 2022, at the age of 98. She was born October 20, 1923, in Elmhurst, Illinois. Grace had one sister, Betty, who preceded her in death in July 2022. She grew up in Elmhurst where she graduated from York High School. She married her first love, Richard Fellows, in 1943. He was enlisted as an Air Force B-24 pilot in World War II, and he was killed in action during the D-Day invasion of Normandy in June of 1944. Five months after his death, their baby girl, Joy, was born. It is unknown whether Richard knew at the time of his death that his young wife back home was pregnant. As a new mother and widow, Grace moved into her parents’ home with her newborn and lived there until she married her second love, Earl Van Valkenburg, in 1946. Earl also served in World War II. Together they had two more daughters, Gay and Jill, and raised the three sisters in Okemos, Michigan. Earl preceded Grace in death in 1987. Grace is deeply missed by her daughters, Joy, Gay (Norm) and Jill, in addition to six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was a longtime member of St. Katherine’s Episcopal Church in Williamston, Michigan, and any donations can be made to the church. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Grace will be remembered by all who knew and loved her for her generosity, loyalty and fun-loving spirit.