Ina Grace (South) Harwick

Ina Grace (South) Harwick

June 29, 1918 - May 19, 2013

NORTH PLATTE, Nebaska -- Ina Grace (South) Harwick was born in Sarles, North Dakota, on June 29, 1918, to Jay and Hannah South. She passed away on May 19, 2013, at the North Platte Care Center in North Platte.

Her family moved to Bemidji, Minnesota, where she graduated from high school in 1936. She moved to California to live with her sister and look for work. She met Paul Smith there and they were married in Las Vegas in 1941. Daughter Billie was born in California. She and Paul moved to Nebraska in 1945 and settled in Maywood in 1946, where son Dan was born. Paul passed away in 1958. Grace married V. J. "Fritz" Harder in 1966 and they lived in rural Stockville and Curtis. Fritz passed away in 1975. Grace married Kenny Harwick in 1988. Kenny passed away in 2002.

Grace worked out of her home doing laundry and ironing. She also cleaned houses and worked several years as a custodian at Sunset Haven in Curtis. She also cleaned several businesses and private homes in Curtis. She enjoyed reading and had a book by her side at the very end. She enjoyed sewing and quilting and made blankets, pillows, bean bag chairs and other items for her family and friends. She also enjoyed collecting turtles and her collection numbered over 400 in a variety of sizes. She also liked to fish and spent many hours at lakes in the area. Her greatest joy was her families.

She was preceded in death by her parents and 11 brothers and sisters. Grace is survived by her sister, Laverne Whelan of Bemidji, Minnesota; daughter, Billie Christensen of Littleton, Colorado; son, Dan (Karen) Smith of Maywood, Nebraska; step-daughter, Darlene (Tedd) Hinton of Colorado Springs, Colorado; step-daughter, Lynda (Denny) Drayton of Lemon, South Dakota and step-son, Fayette (Ronnie) Harwick of Alliance, Nebraska; grandchildren, Dan Christensen of Littleton, Colorado, Paul (Dawn) Smith of Kansas City, Missouri and Chad (Jean) Smith of Overland Park, Kansas; great-grandchildren, Jessica (Ben) Vinci; Troi Christensen, Trysten Brown Christensen, Josie Smith and Gavin Smith; great-great grandchildren, Cadence, Michael and Avery Vinci of Littleton, Colorado; numerous nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Tuesday May 21 from 1-8 p.m. with the family present from 5-7 pm. at the Blase-Wetzel-Strauser funeral home in Curtis. Private services and burial at the cemetery in Riverton, Nebraska will be on Wednesday, May 22.

Memorials may be directed to the Curtis Public Library, 316 Center Ave, Curtis, NE 69025

To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.