Stevensville – Grace Buchanan, 93, longtime Victor resident and more recently of The Living Centre of Stevensville, passed away peacefully Monday morning, June 1.
Grace was born Verona Grace Fliehmann, to parents Leonard and Ida (Reilly) Fliehmann, January 26, 1927 in Gebo, Wyoming and raised in Thermopolis, Wyoming, as the baby of her family. She joined half-sister, Anna, half-brother Robert, and brother Jack spending her childhood between summers on the family farm and the school year in the house in town.
Being a farmer’s daughter, her family weathered the Great Depression well. With the advent of WWII, her brothers joined the Army, and though a student, Grace joined the Civil Air Patrol to do her part.
Grace was an avid learner and excellent student. She skipped a grade to graduate as Valedictorian of her class. Grace graduated from Denver University with a major in math and minor in German, and there being no careers for a Wyoming girl in those areas, she obtained a teaching certificate. Before embarking on her lifetime in education, however, she took a steamship to Europe for the Grand Tour and traveled by steam train.
After three years of teaching elementary school in her hometown, she met Nolan “Bud” Buchanan while he was working on the Boysen Dam in the Wind River Canyon, and they were married September 1, 1950 in Cody, Wyoming. Her mother later had an article in the local paper that Grace and Nolan had married in the Catholic Church in Cody to save face, but in reality, Grace followed her heart and the couple eloped. Anyone who knows Grace and her well planned out details would know what a surprise that would have been!
Traveling the Northwest, following major construction projects, they had a son, Daryl, born in Pasco, Washington. One of their homes was in Depoe Bay, Oregon, where they vowed to retire, but never got the chance to do so.
In 1955, after Grace’s parents “retired” to a farm in Corvallis, her father was stricken with cancer. Grace stayed with her parents to help care for her father and the farm. When her father died, Grace was unable to move, being very pregnant, so Bud found a new company in Western Montana to work for and they stayed on in Corvallis, where they had their daughter, Tamara. Grace resumed her teaching career in the Hamilton School system, teaching elementary and later as reading specialist. During this time, she became a part of the Five Valley Reading Council and served for a time as its president. She was instrumental in the “Readdit” program by developing booklets and video to encourage reading skills at home. She participated nationwide as a presenter in educational conferences, and created games to assist in developing reading and math skills.
Grace joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after moving to Corvallis and served in many positions with unwavering faith and determination. In addition to her many years of church service, she volunteered until the age of 88 with the Cub Scout program. She also served a mission for her church in the Canada, Toronto Mission, as the only older sister in her proselyting mission.
Ever a champion of children, family and working with youth were the center of her life. She had a passion for reading, Jeopardy, and the Trivia Quiz, and Old Time Fiddlers that the Centre provided. She loved her surroundings, her caregivers and the many phone calls and visits she received.
Grace was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings, including a half-brother, Leonard, who died before she was born, and her husband. She is survived by her son Daryl (Marge) Buchanan, Tamara (John) Barker; grandchildren, Jessica (Ron) Beckman, Thomas (Patrisha) Buchanan, Timothy (Sara Jo) Buchanan, Brett (Genalea) Barker, and Marcella Barker; several great grandchildren, and one gg grandchild. She is also survived by many extended family members and friends she adopted as family.
The family are grateful in her behalf for the loving care she received at The Living Centre, Partners in Health Hospice, her medical caregivers, and finally, Whitesitt Funeral Home, for their wonderful service in these difficult times. Grace would tell you that if you can, mentor a child, or donate your time and talents to The Living Centre (or nursing home close to you).
“A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” John 13:34. A service was held at the Relief Society Room at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Stevensville on Saturday, June 6, 2020. Interment followed the service in the Victor Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.
Kendra and Kirk Kaiser says
Grace was ahead of her time! What an amazing person. We never met Grace but she sometimes shared names for us to take to the temple, especially male names. We only knew each other through email. She identified herself as the Granny Nanny, so cute! We had no idea of all of her accomplishments and dedication to children.
My husband Kirk is Glen Kaiser’s son. I believe that Glen, who passed away in 2000, and Grace were cousins. Kirk is a middle school special education teacher. Kirk and Grace would have had a lot to talk about. We received this obituary via email from Judy (Judeen) Peck, another lover of family history from my husband’s side of the family.
We hope you have peace and comfort at Grace’s passing and know that she is reunited with loved ones.