Grace Perkins

Perkins, Grace Marjorie (Larson) As her name implies, Grace was a gentle, warm and lovely woman, adored by all who knew her. Born on December, 22, 1920 in Lansing, Illinois to Arthur and Clara Larson, she later attended Michigan State University where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Home Economics and a Master's in Social Work. Grace married Judson Merchant Perkins in 1943 and together they lived in East Lansing, where Judd was an instructor at MSC, now MSU, and Grace was active in Faculty Wives and Theater Arts. They were Spartan fans all their lives but they left the academic life and moved to North Muskegon, MI where Grace was active in the North Muskegon Community Methodist Church, her beloved Dialogue Group, and the Muskegon Museum of Art. Grace had many good friends in the Muskegon area where she lived until 2000. Grace and Judd had three children: Gwen Karen, who lived only to age 4, Susan Kay Kessler of Ellsworth, MI, and Peter Judson of Portland, OR. She dearly loved her grandchildren, Susan Renee(Mike)Rage, of Tucson, AZ, Sara Grace,(Luther)Bruceof Fort Worth, TX and Nicholas Raymond Kesslerof Portland, OR, Torin Perkins, of Portland, OR and great grandchildren, Makaylee and Makenna Rage, and Zachary and Grace Marjorie Bruce. Her family will greatly miss her.

She will rest near her beloved father and mother in Mears Cemetery, Mears, MI. Grace is survived by her sister Nina (Mrs.Douglas.) Heckle of Muskegon, nephews Paul(Carolyn) Heckle of Muskegon, Tim Larson, Jon and Clay Courtney; nieces Wendy(Dan) Kocher, Gretchen Larson, and Kristin Courtney, great nephew Kevin(Amy) Heckle, great niece Amy(Joseph) Wenk, great-great nephews Jonathon and Christopher Heckle and Wyatt and Jared Wenk and great- great niece Jenna Wenk. Grace was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Judson, her sister Doris Courtney, brothers Harry and Arthur Larson, her dear brother-in-law, Douglas Heckle, and her parents. Grace happily lived the last of her years at Grand Traverse Pavilions in Traverse City, close to daughter Susan and husband, Jeff. She died peacefully on June 15, 2009. Her family honors and thanks the wonderful staff of the Pavilions for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, please consider the Grand Traverse Pavilions Employee Education Fund. The address is: Grand Traverse Pavilions, 1000 Pavilion Circle, Traverse City, MI, 49684. A Memorial service will be held at Tate-King Funeral Home in Hart, MI, July 15, 2009, at 2:00 in the afternoon.