Grace M. Fass

LODI -- Grace Marjorie Monagle Fass, age 93, passed away peacefully at St. Mary's Care Center, Madison on Friday, September 11, 2009. Grace was born on August 30, 1916 in Litchfield, Minnesota, the second of five children born to Marshall and Lillie (Johnson) McMonagle. Grace grew up on a farm near Lengby, Minnesota. After graduation from Foston High School, Grace moved to Ely, Minnesota to work at Hibbard's Lodge resort where she met Oscar (""Ozzie"") Fass. She and Oscar were married on October 4, 1939 at St. James Catholic Church in Madison. Grace and Oscar lived in Bremerton, Washington; Madison; and Lodi. In 1948, Grace, Oscar and his brother, Joe Fass, started Fass Brothers Masonry, which they operated out of their home on Charter Street. Grace dedicated her life to her family, working tirelessly to cook, clean and raise her six children. Grace and Oscar built the family cottage on Lake Wisconsin where countless family gatherings have been enjoyed. Grace was a devout Catholic who attended St. James / St. Patrick Churches regularly. Grace had been living independently in her Lodi home until her latest stroke. She enjoyed quilting, crocheting, knitting, playing Bingo and Euchre. She was recently honored for her 60 years of dedicated service to the St. Cecelia Chapter of the Foresters at St. James.

Grace is survived by her six children: Muriel Fass Krone, Margaret Fass Gaffney, Michael (Carol) Fass, John (Gail) Fass, Paul (Rebecca) Fass and Frederick (Marie Jacobson) Fass; her well-loved ten grandchildren: Carrie Krone Halle, Kathy (Brian) Krone Yelton, Kelly (Tanyia) Gaffney, Shannan Gaffney Bowers, Marni (Phil) Gaffney Leaf, Peter (Charlotte) Fass, Kathryn (Rob) Fass DeLuca, Matthew Fass, Tyler Fass and Stuart Fass; and her beloved twelve great-grandchildren: Nathan and Stephanie Yelton; Cody and Casey Halle; Riley and Erin Bowers; Cossette and Carson Leaf; Amelia and Elizabeth Fass; Andre Kramer and Aurelius DeLuca. Her sisters-in-law Lorena Fass Johnson, Betty McMonagle and Mabel McMonagle and numerous relatives and friends further survive her.

Her parents Marshall and Lillie McMonagle, her husband Oscar Fass, her siblings Chester McMonagle, Miles McMonagle, Elsa McMonagle West, and Lillie McMonagle Parker, preceded Grace in death. Her mother and father-in-law Peter and Margaret (Lochner) Fass, brothers-in-law Dale Johnson, Kenneth West, and Joseph Fass and his wife, Margaret, also preceded her in death.

Grace dedicated her entire life to serving others with unfailing generosity and kindness. Her family will forever miss her cookies and fudge at Christmas. Grace's family is grateful and thankful to Karen Brewer and Katie Pavlue for their continuing kindness and companionship to our mother over the years, and to the staff of St. Mary's Care Center for their compassionate care.

Visitation will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison on Monday, September 14, 2009 from 4 until 7 pm, with a Rosary Service at 4:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at ST. JAMES CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1128 St James Court, Madison, with Msgr. Thomas F. Baxter officiating and Msgr. Daniel Ganshert concelebrating. A visitation will also be held one hour prior to services at church on Tuesday. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery in Madison.

Memorial contributions may be made in Grace's name to St. James School, 1204 St. James Court, Madison, WI 53715 ; St. Patrick's School, 515 Fair Street, Lodi, WI 53555 or St. Mary's Care Center, 3401 Maple Grove Drive, Madison, WI 53719.

Thank you, Grandma Grace, for a lifetime of memories -- may you rest in peace.