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Grace Paradis

March 9, 1935-Aug. 7, 2018

MARSHALL — A celebration of Life for Grace Paradis, formerly of Marshall, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at Cornerstone Methodist Church in Marshall. Burial will be held privately. Cards and condolences for the family may be sent to Ellinger-Kunz & Park Funeral Home, 530 N 5th St, Springfield, IL 62702 who is handling the arrangements.

Grace died Aug. 7, 2018, in Quincy, Ill.

She was born March 9, 1935, to Gustave and Pearl (Drinkall) Gniffke and was the youngest of nine children and the only daughter. She grew up on the family farm near Cottonwood. After high school, Grace worked with the local Mutual Creamery Insurance Company in Richfield for five years. She married Victor Paradis, the love of her life, on Dec. 6, 1958. They farmed in the Marshall area for many years and had three children: Kevin of Marbleton, WY; Karen (Mikkelson) of Quincy, Ill.; Karla (Hartley) of Mukwonago, WI. When Vic’s health forced them to leave the farm, they bought the Sunset Motel in Worthington and resided there for several years. They moved back to Marshall in 1977 where Grace worked as a branch manager for Sarah Coventry Jewelry. She also began working as manager for the Super 8 Motel in Marshall and at the clothing store Lenny and Me. She was employed at Schwan’s Sales Enterprises in Marshall as administrative analyst for over 20 years.

After Victor passed away unexpectedly in 1990, Grace began managing the Super 8 Motel in Granite Falls. Eight years later, she relocated to Indianapolis, IN to be closer to family. While there, she began working for Catherines and became a manager in the company. She transferred to Duluth for a short time and then to St. Cloud. In 2008, she moved to Underwood, and started to enjoy retirement. In the years since, she has lived in Mukwonago, WI and Quincy IL to be close to her family.

The love of family was of utmost importance to Grace. She found joy and pride in her many nieces and nephews, her children and grandchildren. She was always ready with a smile, a word of encouragement or praise, as well as words of wisdom. Grace loved people and took an interest in everyone she met making friends wherever she went. She loved the Lord and wanted to be sure all those she encountered knew that they were special and loved by God. Grace found the presence of God in all things, especially in the beauty of the world around her. Her love of nature, plants and animals was evident throughout her life.

Grace was an excellent cook and found joy and pleasure in feeding others. She was often trying new recipes and for several years had a section in the Schwan’s employee paper where she shared some of her favorites. Grace also had a love for knitting. She always had at least one, often two or three projects she was working on as gifts for those she loved.

Grace was a giver. She was generous with whatever she had to give and to whomever was in need. She was sweet, kind and caring and loved to send cards, letters and gifts of love and encouragement to her friends and family.

She chose to remain a widow after Victor passed away and displayed much courage and strength in the years that followed. She would be quick to tell you that her strength was from the Lord and that the Bible was her road map on her journey through this life.

She is survived by her children: Kevin Paradis, Karen (Scott) Mikkelson and Karla (the late Rick) Hartley, four sisters-in-law; 13 grandchildren; and several great grandchildren.

Grace was preceded in death by her husband, one son-in-law, her parents, eight brothers and seven sisters-in-law.