Gracie Ruby Strohkirch

Gracie Ruby Strohkirch, age 92, of Selma, died Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at home surrounded by her family.

A celebration of her life will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 12, 2011 at Selma First Baptist Church with Pastor Monty Pope officiating in Selma, Oregon. Illinois Valley Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Grace’s name to Selma First Baptist Church, PO Box 279, Selma, Oregon 97538.

Grace was born November 17, 1918 in Collinsville, Illinois to Henry D. Rushing & Minnie Lee (Bryant) Rushing. On November 23, 1934 she married Earl C. Strohkirch who preceded her in death in 1997. They moved from Alton, Illinois to Selma in 1947. She and Earl owned and operated Sun Rise Valley Ranch together for 50 years. She also operated the Red Carpet Beauty Salon in the area for over 20 years.

Grace was a longtime member of Selma First Baptist Church.

She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her hobbies included painting, sewing, gardening, fishing, crocheting, quilting, and reading the Bible.

Survivors include a sister, Irene Hueste of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; three children, Jacquelin Lee Briggs of Merritt Island, Florida; Dick Strohkirch and wife Sandi of Klamath Falls, Oregon, and Diana Frost and husband Les of Selma, Oregon; grandchildren, Michelle Briggs, Krista Holderman, Mike Briggs, Nisha van Hees, Steve Strohkirch, Nancy Wirth, Elizabeth Lofrano, and Brenda Searle; 16 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Earl; she was preceded in death by an infant son, Thomas; and infant grandson, Warren; two sisters, Ethelynn and Pearl; and a brother, Barney.