Grace B. Crist

Grace B. Crist, 91, died on Friday, April 14, 2017 at Homestead Assisted Living in Garden City. She was born March 8, 1926, in rural northwest Hamilton County, Kansas, to Daniel and Erma (Schenbeck) Bruchy. At about age four, her family moved to Holcomb, Kansas, where she attended school and, on May 18, 1944, graduated as valedictorian at Holcomb High School.  

She married Leland Crist on October 13, 1946 at Anthony, Kansas. They lived and farmed near Friend, Kansas, and together raised four children: Johnny, Danny, Mel, and Jacque. Grace was a housewife and helped on the farm with day-to-day tasks. She taught Sunday school at Prairie View Church of the Brethren for many years and served on the Friend School Board of Education. During this time, she also learned to fly. She obtained her private pilot’s license in 1961, a commercial license in 1975, and became instrument rated in 1979. Grace enjoyed flying immensely. She was a member of the Kansas and International Ninety-Nines, an international organization of licensed women pilots, and was very active in the local Cimarron Chapter.  

In 1970, she moved to Garden City, Kansas. She had various employment in Garden City including the Garden City Municipal Airport (Garden Air, Inc.), Security Savings and Loan, and KSU Farm Management as a bookkeeper/tax preparer. Early into retirement, she was a part-time substitute teacher for USD 457. She went to college as a non-traditional student and graduated cum laude from Saint Mary of the Plains College in 1981 with a B.A. in Business Administration. Grace thrived on education and throughout her life was always eager to learn new things on any subject matter.  

Grace was a member of the Garden City Church of the Brethren, where she taught Sunday school for many years. She entertained frequently in her home for family, friends, and Women’s Fellowship. She enjoyed traveling and traveled Europe extensively. A highlight was retracing her father’s footsteps during his service abroad in WWI. Among her many other interests were cooking and baking, flower gardening, bird watching, reading, crocheting, volunteering, genealogical research, and spending quality time with her family. Grace was a member of the Finney County Historical Society, Friends of Lee Richardson Zoo, the local TOPS club, and other organizations throughout her lifetime. She will be remembered most for the unconditional love she showed to others and for her endearing wit and charm. 

Left to honor Grace and remember her love are her four children, Johnny (Leveta) Crist, Danny (Nancy) Crist, Mel (Jane) Crist, and Jacque Crist-Dabney; her grandchildren, Kelly Crist, Jeremy Crist, Elissa Crist, Darrin (Audrey) Crist, Sara (Marcus) Jones, Danny (Krystal) Crist Jr., Todd (Amber) Crist, Toye (Darren) Wheatley, and Katrina (Julian) Brown; twelve great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, and other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Jarvis (Kay) Bruchy, sisters Lola Richards, Doris McAdams, and Orrilla (Jerry) Stonehocker, and nephew, Troy McAdams.  

Funeral Service will be at 10:30 AM Wednesday at the Church Of Brethren in Garden City with Von Hunn officiating. Burial will be in Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. Memorials are suggested to either the Church Of The Brethren or Friends Of Lee Richardson Zoo in care of Garnand Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com