November 9, 1918 – April 3, 2010

Grace Rea, 91, of Bend, died Saturday, April 3, 2010. Bend resident for 51 years, including 20 years as co-owner of the Gateway Motel. A service to honor her life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, Bend, April 17, 2010, at 3:00 p.m.

Grace was born on a farm near Aberdeen, South Dakota, on November 9, 1918, to Gilbert and Alice Roberts. She was fifth of seven siblings, with three brothers and three sisters. She was educated in a one-room grade school, and in 1936, graduated from Ipswich High School. She met Robert Rea at Aberdeen Business College and married him on February 14, 1942. During WWII, they worked in Washington, DC, and for one year in Portland, OR, before returning to South Dakota, where Grace and Robert developed a tax consulting and a dry cleaning business.

In 1960, the couple purchased the Gateway Motel, Bend, OR. Grace managed the motel and helped Robert with his tax consulting business until he died in 1979. Somehow she managed to work two jobs and raise three boys. Grace attended the First Presbyterian Church, and during the 1990s enjoyed volunteering at St. Charles Hospital.

Grace provided a loving and supportive home to family and friends. Her large dinner table was the center of family events. Her ‘German’ pancakes, angel food cakes, homemade ice cream and apple pies were simply extraordinary. Her life defined graciousness.

Grace is survived by her three sons, Glen 65, and his wife Carol, of Albany, Kevin, 59, and fiance, Barbara Dudley, of Bend, and Bill, 54, and his wife, Elaine, of Portland. She is also survived by three sisters, Alice Beadle, 97, of Albany, OR, Dorothy 89, and her husband, Ernie Kub, of Ipswich, SD, and Jane Randall, 84, of Seattle, WA, and friend Pati Rea. She cherished seven grand- children, Scott, Ryan, Chela, Christian, Kody, Hayley, and Holly, and seven great- grandchildren, Kate, Christopher, Johnathon, Maya, Cailin, Dreyden, and Scarlet.

Memorial Contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church.

Grace Rea